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Setting up long-term relationships between large multinational enterprises (MNEs) and African small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is one of the most powerful ways of gradually integrating local firms into global value chains. The aim of this paper is first to define the business model concept in both theoretical and empirical analyses. We then illustrate this definition with the case of the Shokti Doi social business case. Finally, we outline emerging new types of African partnerships favoring the creation and development of small businesses and micro projects.