Women entrepreneurs across Africa can now apply for the second cohort of the Investing in Young Businesses in Africa: Women Entrepreneurship for Africa (IYBA-WE4A) programme — an initiative designed to support and scale women-led businesses with $5,000 in seed capital, alongside world-class training, mentorship, and access to investment networks.
The IYBA WE4A Programme is part of the Global Gateway initiative, co-funded by the European Union and the Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS), and implemented by GIZ in partnership with the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) and SAFEEM (Swiss Association for Entrepreneurship in Emerging Markets).
The programme aims to bridge financing and capacity gaps faced by women entrepreneurs in Africa while promoting green and sustainable business practices.
What Participants Will Receive
Selected participants will receive:
- $5,000 seed capital to grow or launch their business.
- Business training and practical workshops on entrepreneurship, finance, and sustainability.
- Mentorship and coaching from experienced business leaders.
- Access to a wide network of investors, partners, and entrepreneurs through TEFConnect.
Eligible Business Categories
The programme targets women-led businesses operating within:
- Green Business Models such as:
- Sustainable Agriculture and Agro-processing
- Renewable Energy
- Blue Economy / Aquaculture
- Eco-tourism
- Circular Economy / Waste Management / Biomass
- Greening of Business Models in sectors like:
- Transportation and Logistics
- Construction
Who Can Apply
- Women entrepreneurs running green or sustainability-focused businesses.
- Businesses must be either at the idea stage or less than five years old.
- Applicants must reside in one of the eligible countries: Cameroon, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, or Uganda.
How to Apply
Interested women entrepreneurs should:
- Visit www.TEFConnect.com.
- Create or log in to their TEFConnect profile.
- Complete the IYBA WE4A application form with accurate business details.
Application Deadline: January 2026
Why This Matters
Through this initiative, over 1,000 women-led businesses will receive direct financial and capacity support to scale their ventures, create jobs, and contribute to Africa’s green transition.
