The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) has launched the second installment of the Women Entrepreneurs for Africa (WE4A) initiative, aimed at empowering women entrepreneurs across the continent. In collaboration with partners Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and the European Union (EU), WE4A seeks to provide women with tools, resources, and mentorship to succeed in the business landscape.
The initiative was officially launched at the Ugandan-EU Business Forum in Kampala, highlighting the potential of women-led businesses in driving sustainable development. WE4A focuses on bolstering economic inclusion and empowerment for African women in green businesses, offering support such as funding, market opportunities, training, and mentorship tailored to women entrepreneurs.
Candidates for the WE4A program include women in Sustainable Agriculture and Agricultural Processing, Blue Economy and Aquaculture, Renewable Energy, Circular Economy and Waste Management, and Eco-tourism. Building on the success of the pilot program, the second installment aims to empower a minimum of 3000 women in each of the eight participating countries.
Implemented in Senegal, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda, Malawi, Kenya, Cameroon, and Togo, selected participants will receive business management and green economy training, mentorship, and a seed-funding grant of USD$5,000. They will also gain access to networking opportunities and additional funding possibilities, integrating into the TEF Alumni network upon completion of the program.