Deadline: February 2, 2025
Applications are open for the African Women Entrepreneurship Cooperative (AWEC) Cohort 8. The African Women Entrepreneurship Cooperative is an innovative, 12-month leadership and business management capacity building program that accepts 200 female entrepreneurs annually.
Fellows should expect to spend an average of 4 to 6 hours per week participating in AWEC activities (primarily online), for one year. Fellows are expected to participate in at least one AWEC activity per week throughout the program. Seriously consider this time commitment before applying and/or accepting an offer to participate in AWEC. The program is designed for both individual and collaborative, feedback-based work. Fellows interact with their mentors, Program Advisors, other participants throughout the year in various curriculum activities.
Benefits
Upon successful completion of the 12-month program, Fellows will:
- Form connections with a diverse network of African women entrepreneurs.
- Establish a relationship with a senior business mentor.
- Strengthen strategy, leadership and business management skills.
- Gain skills in finance, marketing, and strategy needed to grow and scale their enterprise.
- Develop a toolkit of soft skills, including self-confidence, resilience, collaboration, and cross-cultural communications.
Eligibility
- Open to Female entrepreneurs.
- African country of origin, currently living on the continent or in the diaspora. For those living in the diaspora, your business must clearly impact Africa through the creation or delivery of its products or services or based on where its customers reside.
- A for-profit business owner in operation of at least 2 years in any industry with at least 2 full-time or part-time employees. You must be the only one in your business applying. Founders of social enterprises are eligible to apply. Founders of NGOs or nonprofit organizations are not eligible.
- Access to a reliable internet connection with sufficient bandwidth for video calls over the 12-month period.
- Professional working proficiency in English.
- Comfortable with remote teamwork and collaboration, especially using digital tools.
AWEC admissions do not discriminate based on race, religion, age, disability, marital status, education, business revenue, industry or geographic location.
Application
For more information, visit AWEC.
