One of the keys to building a successful startup is receiving guidance from people who have already been there. The right growth strategy is often only a mentor away. At any business stage, you want to have a mentor who understands your industry and your regional context.
In this article, we highlighted 10 exceptional mentors from Northern Africa who are ready to support founders with their knowledge, expertise and network. Each mentor has a unique background and deep knowledge in areas including finance, tech, digital strategy, and more.
Adnane Balboul (Cassablanca, Morocco)
Expertise: Tech, program management, business development
Background: Adnane is passionate about helping businesses build digital strategies that drive growth. With 28+ years overseeing large teams in diverse industries, he offers practical advice on developing strong business models for expansion.
Contribution: Adnane supports founders in creating sustainable digital strategies and scaling their businesses effectively by incorporating best practices in business development and entrepreneurship.
Connect with mentor: Adnane BalboulHanan Afariad (Agadir, Morocco)
Expertise: Green entrepreneurship, project evaluation, KPI development.
Background: Hanan is the CEO of Ard’Africa, focusing on helping green startups grow by developing clear KPIs and evaluating project progress. She is passionate about supporting youth and women entrepreneurs in creating sustainable businesses.
Contribution: Hanan mentors founders on project scaling, vision development, and measurable growth, while actively contributing to the startup ecosystem.
Connect with mentor: Hanan AfariadSophia El Khensae Bentamy (Rabat, Morocco)
Expertise: Communication techniques, personal growth and branding.
Background: Sophia is a communication consultant and coach with over 20 years of experience. She specializes in communication techniques, positive psychology, and professional writing, working closely with young people and professionals.
Contribution: Sophia mentors startups by sharing her communication expertise to help founders enhance their skills in public speaking, writing, and personal development.
Connect to mentor: Sophia El Khensae BentamyAsmaa Gamal (Cairo, Egypt)
Expertise: Entrepreneurial ecosystems, social development, SDGs.
Background: Asmaa is the Strategic Partnerships Manager at Eleva8or Accelerator and a passionate advocate for building entrepreneurial ecosystems in emerging markets. She has experience leading sustainable development projects and empowering entrepreneurs in underserved communities.
Contribution: She mentors startups on strategic partnerships, ecosystem building, and creating social impact, helping entrepreneurs align their businesses with the SDGs.
Connect with mentor: Asmaa GamalMina Kerols (Cairo, Egypt)
Expertise: Startup mentorship, investment readiness, ecosystem building.
Background: Mina is the Co-Founder and CEO of TalkStartUp and the Incubator Manager at Estithmarcom – KSA. With over a decade of experience, he has mentored thousands of entrepreneurs in the MENA region and specializes in startup growth, investment readiness, and ecosystem building.
Contribution: He mentors founders on pitch deck preparation, business planning, and scaling, focusing on empowering students, refugees, and underserved communities through entrepreneurship.
Connect with mentor: Mina KerolsAsma Gatri (Le Kef, Tunisia)
Expertise: Environmental consulting, waste management and green technology.
Background: Asma is the CEO of African Environment Consulting and an expert in environmental management systems and waste management. She supports green entrepreneurs by developing environmental studies, preparing subsidy applications, and implementing environmental management systems.
Contribution: She mentors startups on business development for green entrepreneurs for sustainable business growth.
Connect with mentor: Asma GatriNessim Bozrati (Tunis, Tunisia)
Expertise: Sales, marketing, growth hacking.
Background: Nessim is the Head of Sales at Cynoia, with deep experience in marketing, sales, and growth strategies for startups. He is passionate about empowering African entrepreneurs by helping them develop sustainable growth plans and scaling strategies.
Contribution: He mentors startups on lead generation, sales execution, and scaling, leveraging his experience in the African startup ecosystem.
Connect with mentor: Nessim BozratiAhmed Hamouda (Bizerte, Tunisia and Katowice, Poland)
Expertise: Business design, innovation management, product development.
Background: Ahmed is a Navy veteran with a strong background in digital transformation and innovation management. He is the CEO of NABDA and the CIO at a HealthTech startup. He also serves as a part-time professor in innovation management and business design.
Contribution: He mentors startups on product design, innovation, and data protection, helping them integrate privacy by design and innovative solutions.
Connect with mentor: Ahmed HamoudaAssem Omar (Cairo, Egypt)
Expertise: Strategic planning, business development, PR and communications.
Background: Assem is the Startup Programs Manager for EMEA at inDrive with nine years of experience in the startup ecosystem. He focuses on strategic guidance and business development, helping startups overcome challenges and scale their operations. His expertise spans PR, communications, and team management.
Contribution: Assem mentors founders on strategic planning, business growth, and scaling, offering practical insights to help startups navigate their development journey.
Connect with mentor: Assem OmarSawsen Dhifallah (Sousse, Tunisia)
Expertise: Coaching, digital transformation, EdTech.
Background: Sawsen is the CEO of Coachini and the founder of moncoach.tn, a platform aimed at connecting coaches with individuals and companies. She has led several strategic partnerships in Tunisia focused on AI and innovation programs. Her work helps digitize support and coaching services for startups and entrepreneurs.
Contribution: She mentors startups on digital transformation, helping them refine their products and user experiences.
Connect with mentor: Sawsen Dhifallah
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