TUI Futureshapers Morocco and Namibia
Across Africa, tourism holds vast potential to drive sustainable economic growth, create jobs and support local entrepreneurship. However, many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) working in tourism and related industries still face major obstacles to unlocking this potential. Limited access to capital, business expertise and market visibility continues to restrict their ability to grow, innovate and compete in an increasingly globalised tourism economy.
By combining financial and technical support, TUI Futureshapers Morocco & Namibia helps promising young entrepreneurs in both countries strengthen their businesses, create jobs and build sustainable tourism ecosystems that benefit local communities.
Building on the success of the previous TUI Futureshapers Senegal project, which supported innovative startups in the tourism value chain and helped them scale their impact, this new initiative expands the programme’s reach across North and Southern Africa. It empowers a new generation of tourism entrepreneurs to drive sustainable growth and transform their communities through responsible business innovation.
TUI Futureshapers Morocco & Namibia bridges this gap by providing targeted support to innovative SMEs that are shaping a more inclusive and sustainable tourism landscape. Through a combination of mentoring, capacity building and tailored business development assistance, the project strengthens the operational and financial foundations of participating companies, helping them to grow, attract investment and increase their positive social and environmental impact.
Each participating business receives personalised support through GreenTec Capital Africa Foundation’s Company Building Model, which focuses on practical, long-term collaboration with entrepreneurs. This includes tailored coaching on business strategy, digital transformation, financial management and impact reporting. The approach is hands-on and adaptive, ensuring that the needs of each company are met at every stage of their development.
The project also identifies and nurtures high-potential tourism and hospitality enterprises that are contributing to sustainable job creation and community benefit. Selected entrepreneurs gain access to a network of expert mentors and investors, connecting them with both local and international markets. The businesses are also supported in building strategic partnerships with tourism stakeholders such as tour operators, hospitality providers and local suppliers, reinforcing their role in a sustainable tourism value chain.
At the same time, the project places a strong emphasis on training and empowerment. Over the course of two years, at least 40 young entrepreneurs and startup founders – with a focus on women-led enterprises – receive targeted business development training. These sessions equip participants with the tools and skills needed to scale their operations and attract investors. In parallel, ten selected companies (five in each country) receive intensive mentoring and technical support to implement growth and sustainability strategies.
The project helps these companies increase their revenue, create or maintain at least 60 decent jobs, and enhance local value creation through the inclusion of community suppliers and artisans. By improving access to finance, knowledge and networks, the initiative also helps participating SMEs reduce their environmental footprint and adopt more sustainable practices, ranging from renewable energy use and waste reduction to inclusive employment policies.
This new phase builds on the foundations laid by TUI Futureshapers Senegal, which successfully supported nine innovative startups and over 50 MSMEs in the tourism sector. The Senegal project proved the value of combining business mentoring with sustainability training and market exposure. Entrepreneurs in Senegal improved their business performance and strengthened their role as agents of sustainable change within their communities.
Project Partner
GreenTec Capital Africa Foundation is a non-profit organisation that supports African entrepreneurs and startups to build sustainable, scalable businesses. Based in Frankfurt and operating across the continent, the Foundation applies a unique Company Building Model that provides long-term, hands-on support in strategy, operations, technology and finance. By combining capacity building with impact investment readiness, GreenTec helps entrepreneurs strengthen their business models and attract sustainable funding. The Foundation works closely with development partners, investors and private sector stakeholders to create ecosystems where African innovation can thrive and generate inclusive economic growth.
