Over 1,000 women entrepreneurs from eight African nations, including Kenya, are poised to benefit from the Women Entrepreneurship for Africa (IYBA–WE4A) initiative — a grant program designed to reshape the landscape of women’s entrepreneurship across Sub-Saharan Africa. The WE4A Program has been officially launched in Kenya.
The Investing in Young Businesses in Africa – Women Entrepreneurship for Africa (IYBA–WE4A) initiative is dedicated to empowering women who lead green and sustainable enterprises in Kenya and other African countries.
Backed by the European Union (EU), the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), and Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the program will be implemented by the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, and Goodwell Investments.
As part of 30 years of SIB, the WE4A initiative provides women entrepreneurs with more than financial assistance. It delivers a holistic growth platform that includes mentorship, business training, and access to influential networks. Focused on green, innovative, and impact-oriented businesses, the initiative targets women-led enterprises in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Malawi, Mozambique, Senegal, Togo, and Cameroon.
Applications opened on October 6, 2025, and will close on January 25, 2026, providing early-stage women entrepreneurs an opportunity to participate in a transformative program structured around five key stages: application, training and masterclasses, mentorship, business plan and pitch submission, and access to seed capital. Selected participants will receive non-repayable grants of USD 5,000, in addition to technical training and personalized coaching designed to strengthen their business strategies and management capacity.
Beyond the funding component, WE4A prioritizes long-term sustainability by helping entrepreneurs tap into larger financing channels, such as equity and blended finance. Participants will receive specialized training on digital innovation, business strategy, and sustainable operations, preparing them to thrive in increasingly competitive markets.
The mentorship segment connects participants with seasoned professionals and industry leaders, promoting one-on-one guidance, peer collaboration, and hands-on exposure. Furthermore, the program links women entrepreneurs to local and global markets, providing avenues to present their products and services to investors, policymakers, and corporate executives.
The program’s impact transcends individual beneficiaries, driving ripple effects across communities through job creation, poverty alleviation, and contributions to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) — particularly those focused on gender equality and decent work.
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During a workshop held in Nairobi, Kenya, Oniye Okolo, Policy & Partnerships Officer at the Tony Elumelu Foundation, emphasized the foundation’s ongoing mission to empower African entrepreneurs.
“The Tony Elumelu Foundation remains the leading philanthropic institution advancing entrepreneurship across all 54 African countries,” Oniye noted. “Rooted in the philosophy of Africapitalism, our Chairman, Tony Elumelu, believes Africans possess the capacity to transform the continent. This belief propels our mission to empower entrepreneurs to deliver African solutions to African challenges.”
Maureen Amakabane, founder of Nyayo Soko Moms, a beneficiary of the WE4A Programme, and TEF Alumni Hub Lead – Kenya Chapter, recounted her transformative experience, highlighting how the program provided her with capital, market access, and vital business networks. “The grant I received contributed immensely to the growth of my online marketplace for women,” she said. “I urge fellow women entrepreneurs to embrace every phase of their journey with the Tony Elumelu Foundation and transform their potential into real success.”
Since 2015, the Tony Elumelu Foundation has trained over 2.5 million young African entrepreneurs and provided direct funding to 24,000 entrepreneurs, including 1,292 beneficiaries in Kenya.
As expressed in one of the program’s guiding statements,
“WE4A transcends funding — it equips women with the resources, expertise, networks, and visibility needed to transform bold ideas into sustainable engines of growth and impact.”
