IN-PERSON

10:00 AM - 2:00 PM WAT

(Event time zone)

October 31, 2026

Freelancers Connect

Name: Freelancers%20Connect
Start: 2026-10-31T09:00:00.091Z
End: 2026-10-31T13:00:27.430Z
Location: Bitcoin Hub, Jéricho, Immeuble Hammer

# Networking

# Build with Stripe Community

# Stripe products

FREELANCERS CONNECT

From Skills to Global Opportunities

The Cotonou community presents an in-person meetup bringing together freelancers, creators, developers, entrepreneurs, students, and tech enthusiasts in Cotonou.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

• Freelancer introductions: Who are you? What do you do? What skills are you offering?

• How to be a successful freelancer: An interactive session covering how to find clients, build a strong profile, price your services, and work with international clients.

• From local skills to global opportunities: Explore how African freelancers can access international opportunities and build sustainable careers online.

• Getting paid globally: Discover digital payment solutions and practical options for receiving payments from international clients.

• Stripe Community: Learn how to join and use the Stripe Community to connect with other builders, ask questions, share knowledge, and access opportunities.

• What’s next: Community announcements, upcoming activities, networking, and next steps.

Speakers

Gédéon LALEMI

Community Builder @ Stripe

Prudencia Oluwatobi OTE

Ghoswriter & CEO @ AMANACER GROUP

Mackboulath RAOUFOU

CEO @ WoWeb

Fréjus MARTIN

Community Manager @ FittaBella

Hervé ZOSSOU

Full Stack developer @ The Ceative MIND

Abdoul-Rahamane BODA

Software Engineer @ FLASH

Jiluis TCHIDEDJI

Community Manager - MKT @ Anyint

Penielle GNAO

Host @ MC

Topics

How to Succeed as a Freelancer

Category 1

Agenda

10:00 AM

10:30 AM

WAT

Break

WELCOME & NETWORKING

• Guest arrival and registration • Welcoming and informal networking • Name tags with name and profession • Conversation starter cards to help people connect • Quick introductions between participants

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10:30 AM

10:40 AM

WAT

Opening / Closing

WELCOME & INTRODUCTION

• Official welcome • Objectives of the meetup • Overview of the program

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10:40 AM

11:10 AM

WAT

Keynote

AI for Freelancing: Turning Your Skills into Global Economic Opportunities

• How AI is changing the global freelancing landscape

• Using AI to improve productivity and deliver better work

• Turning existing skills into new services with AI

• Finding international clients and accessing global markets

• Using AI to improve your profile, portfolio and personal brand

• How freelancers can use AI for research, content creation, design, coding and business tasks

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11:10 AM

11:45 AM

WAT

Panel Discussion

From Your First Client to International Opportunities

4 freelancers share their real experiences.

Discussion topics:

• Getting the first client • Finding clients • Building trust • Setting rates • International clients • International payments • Biggest mistakes • Lessons learned

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11:45 AM

12:15 PM

WAT

Presentation

STRIPE PRODUCTS PANEL

“How Stripe Can Help You Grow Your Business”

Focus on real business problems and practical solutions.

Examples:

• Accept payments • Send invoices • Manage subscriptions • Build marketplaces • Manage payment risks • Serve international customers

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12:15 PM

12:30 PM

WAT

Presentation

Build the Community With Us

• What is the Stripe Community? • What does a Community Builder do? • How can participants get involved? • What events are coming next? • How can participants contribute?

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12:30 PM

1:00 PM

WAT

Break

CLOSING & GROUP PHOTO

• Refreshment • Announce the next event • Group photo Final networking challenge

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Venue Maps

Bitcoin Hub, Jéricho, Immeuble Hammer

Freelancers Connect

Speakers

Topics

Agenda

Venue Maps

Sponsors