Three years ago, friends and entrepreneurs Rodney, Adam and Chris joined forces to establish the Queer and Allied Chamber of Commerce of Africa (QACC Africa). Their mission: to create a safe and supportive environment for queer entrepreneurs.
From homophobic suppliers to difficulties in obtaining a loan – queer entrepreneurs in Africa face significant challenges. And structural problems as well, like limited access to employment, business opportunities, and financial resources, and a lack of education.
Many queer young people do not finish their education because of family rejection or discrimination at school. This causes a disadvantage early on. Obtaining funding is also particularly difficult for people who do not conform to common gender norms.
A necessary step
Establishing QACC Africa was therefore a necessary step. “Safety is a constant concern. Queer entrepreneurs run the risk of being outed, threatened, or simply banned from the market. “So we were looking for a place where we could be ourselves and grow our businesses, while at the same time there was a huge need for a professional network,” says Chris.
The organization now has more than 3,000 members in Kenya and has expanded to South Africa and Uganda. In Uganda, which has the strictest anti-LGBTI+ legislation in the world, QACC Africa operates with extreme caution. Nevertheless, Chris remains determined: “That’s exactly where we want to support queer entrepreneurs the most. We’ve already created jobs that people in Uganda can do safely from home.”
Supported by our Free to be Me program, the organization is actively expanding its network to remote regions so that queer entrepreneurs and job seekers there can also access support and opportunities.
The way forward
Despite the threatening social and legal environments for queer entrepreneurs, QACC Africa sees positive developments. Their membership is growing and their events, like a special marketplace for queer entrepreneurs, are received enthusiastically. In addition to practical support, the organization wants to change the dominant narratives about queer people in Africa. “We want to show how much creative talent and economic potential there is within the queer community. In this way, we not only strengthen the community, but also hope to get allies and investors on board,” says Chris.
