The IFC/World Bank She Wins Africa Program is a transformative initiative designed to empower women entrepreneurs throughout sub-Saharan Africa. It offers vital resources such as training, mentorship, and networking opportunities, aimed at propelling their startups towards success.
African women exhibit the highest rate of entrepreneurial activity globally, estimated at 24%. They are more likely to initiate businesses compared to their counterparts in other regions. However, persistent barriers impede the potential of female founders and entrepreneurs in Africa. These hurdles include limited access to startup capital, inadequate support ecosystems, and networks for capacity building, along with a deficit of expertise in implementing gender-inclusive investment strategies among venture capital entities and funds.
She Wins Africa Program Essential Details:
Host Country: United States of America (USA)
Category: Training | Fellowships
Eligible Countries: All African Countries
Reward: Full Sponsorship | Accommodation | Flight Tickets | Access to Grants.
Deadline: September 15, 2023
Addressing Barriers, Unlocking Opportunities
She Wins Africa is dedicated to surmounting these challenges and amplifying opportunities for women-led startups to secure financing. The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group headquartered in Washington, D.C., extends its investment, advisory, and asset-management services to foster private-sector development in less developed nations.
Eligibility Criteria:
Age: 21+
Gender: Female
Years in business: 1+
Headquarters: Sub-Saharan African country.
Industry: Agnostic with technology as a central component.
Language: Fluent in English.
Note: Previous participants of similar IFC programs are ineligible to apply.
Participants of She Wins Africa must commit to attending online training sessions and traveling to networking events over the next 12 months. Please be aware that IFC will cover flight and hotel expenses only for the program’s duration.
Duration and Reward:
IFC will cover flight and hotel expenses for the program’s duration.
The program will:
Provide investment readiness training and enhance business skills, bolstering the likelihood of women-led startups securing finance.
Offer capacity building for funds and Venture Capital on gender-lens investing, expediting investments in women-led startups and enterprises, including ten startup support organizations.
Deliver capacity building for accelerators and ESOs, fostering the incubation of early-stage startups and cultivating a robust pipeline of investible startups.
Facilitate matchmaking and pitching events, connecting female founders with investors to facilitate the flow of funds to women-owned businesses.
Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of the She Wins Africa Program and catapult your startup towards success! Apply now!
For more detailed information about the application process, click here.
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