Empowering Female Entrepreneurs in Sub-Saharan Africa through the TEF Women Entrepreneurship For Africa (WE4A) Program

The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) Women Entrepreneurship For Africa (WE4A) Program is currently open for applications for its 2024 cycle, with a funding pool of 5 million USD. This program, with support from the European Union (EU), the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), is designed to empower underserved communities in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly women, youth, and the informal sector.

The TEF WE4A program is dedicated to enhancing the business capacity of women-led enterprises to increase their prospects of securing follow-on funding from private sector investors. Moreover, 15 selected enterprises with high-growth potential will receive grant funding of up to €50,000, along with a growth program to further support their development. With implementation support from the German Development agency GIZ (E4D program) and the Swiss Association for Entrepreneurship in Emerging Markets (SAFEEM), the program aims to foster employment creation and integration into local and regional value chains.

Female entrepreneurs from the TEF Alumni network are invited to apply for the program, provided they already have a working product and an existing customer base. The program is divided into eight clusters based on growth stage and sector, each led by an Entrepreneur in Residence (EiR) who offers personalized mentorship and support throughout the program.

The TEF WE4A program will commence with a 3-month acceleration phase, followed by an additional 3-month growth program and technical assistance for selected participants. All training and program activities will be conducted virtually through Zoom, with access to an online program management and e-learning platform.

The deadline for applications is March 31st, 2024. For more information and to apply, interested entrepreneurs can visit the official webpage of the TEF Women Entrepreneurship For Africa (WE4A) Program. With a strong focus on empowering women entrepreneurs in Sub-Saharan Africa, the WE4A program seeks to drive sustainable economic development and create lasting impact in local communities.