At the crossroads of entrepreneurial rigor, local roots, and a strong sense of purpose, Jérémie Houegbelossin is developing Xwévi, a community-based tourism initiative in Benin designed as a balanced encounter between travelers and rural communities.
In this interview, he looks back on the origins of the project, the challenges he faced, and the key role played by ENTOURAGE’s support in structuring his initiative.
Could you introduce yourself and tell us about the initiative you are developing in Africa?
My name is Jérémie Houegbelossin. I am an Administrative and Financial Manager based in France, and I am developing Xwévi, a community-based tourism initiative in Benin. Xwévi offers immersive stays in rural villages, designed and organized in collaboration with local communities, following a co-creation approach.
The project is built on a simple conviction: tourism can be more than the consumption of places. It can become a lever for local development, cultural transmission, and mutual transformation provided it is designed with rigor, humility, and transparency.
What motivated you to start a project in Africa? Was there a specific turning point?
I wouldn’t describe it as a sudden turning point, but rather as a gradual journey. Being originally from Benin, I have always maintained a strong connection with the country. Over time, I observed two parallel realities. On one side, travelers especially from the diaspora seeking deep and meaningful experiences. On the other, rural communities rich in know-how and with a strong culture of hospitality, yet largely excluded from tourism dynamics.
Xwévi was born from this intuition: to create a structured framework where these two worlds can meet in a balanced, respectful, and sustainable way.
What have been the main challenges in your entrepreneurial journey so far?
The first challenge was finding the right balance between entrepreneurial ambition and respect for local realities, which are sometimes very different from what one imagines from afar. It was also necessary to build a viable business model without falling into a volume-driven approach, to reassure partners on issues of safety and quality, and to turn a very human vision into concrete, repeatable processes.
Finally, there is an ongoing challenge: navigating between different cultural and professional reference points while staying aligned with one’s values and moving forward pragmatically.
Why did you choose to be supported by ENTOURAGE?
Because I was not looking for a theoretical approach or generic discourse about “entrepreneurship in Africa.”. I needed to confront my project with people who truly understand the field its constraints, opportunities, and areas of risk.
With ENTOURAGE, I found honest, no-nonsense conversations with experts who speak from real, lived experience.
Which ENTOURAGE experts did you work with, and on which specific topics?
I had a one-on-one session with Souleymane Khol, whose expertise in hotel management was extremely valuable for Xwévi. He helped strengthen the project’s operational rigor: hospitality standards, quality management, risk anticipation, and professionalizationwithout compromising the authenticity of the experience. I also took part in a private dinner with Régis Facia, who strongly challenged my entrepreneurial mindset in Africa: embracing uncertainty, thinking about growth realistically, and viewing constraints as structuring parameters rather than obstacles.
How do you see Xwévi evolving in the coming years?
I see Xwévi as a network of partner villages that will grow gradually.
The goal is not to scale indiscriminately, but to replicate a well-controlled model while remaining faithful to the principles of authenticity, transparency, and reciprocity. Each new step must be validated by the field.
How would you assess the experience offered by ENTOURAGE?
I would say: availability and attentive listening. There is a real commitment to continuity. You don’t feel alone after a session, and you can genuinely sense that the team is interested in the project’s evolution.
What advice would you give to a diaspora entrepreneur looking to launch a project in Africa?
First, listen to the field before trying to impose a solution. Second, accept that lasting impact requires patience. And above all, don’t go it alone: surround yourself, challenge your ideas, and move forward with humility.
If, like Jérémie, you are looking for personalized and immediately actionable advice, book a session with our experts on Entourage:
