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You're 28, a graduate in computer science from Dakar's ESP. You spent three years developing a mobile rental payment and property management app adapted to the African market. The product is ready. You already have ten donors interested. A tech accelerator in Abidjan offers a six month accompaniment.
But you just passed the public service competition. A position in the Directorate of Taxes and Domains. Stable. Well seen in your family. Secured. Guaranteed retirement.
Your mother says: « Take the station. You'll build your start-up later. » Your mentor says: « There's never been another time. If you don't go now, you'll never go. »
African entrepreneurship desperately lacks trained talent. The civil service too. Both arguments are real.
What do you choose?
- Start-up : risk failure, uncertainty, insecurity, for a chance to create something that matters.
- The post : choose safety, honour family expectations, and perhaps live with the regret of an untrapped road.
