The IYBA WE4A Programme 2025 offers women-led green businesses across Africa USD $5,000 seed capital, training, mentorship, and global networks to scale sustainable impact.
Women entrepreneurs across Africa are being called to step forward and lead the continent’s transition toward a greener, more sustainable future. The IYBA WE4A Project – Women Entrepreneurship for Africa (WE4A) Programme 2025 is now officially open, offering funding, training, mentorship, and global exposure to women-led green businesses.
This transformative initiative is implemented by the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) in partnership with the European Union (EU) and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, reflecting a strong international commitment to gender-inclusive economic growth and environmental sustainability across Africa.
Building on Proven Impact
The WE4A Programme builds on the impressive success of its first cohort, where 751 women-led businesses across Africa collectively received USD $3.99 million in seed funding. These enterprises demonstrated how women entrepreneurs are uniquely positioned to drive innovation, create jobs, and deliver climate-smart solutions within their communities.
With its second cohort, the programme aims to scale this impact even further by supporting over 1,000 women entrepreneurs, significantly expanding access to capital and skills for green and sustainable businesses.
What the WE4A Programme Offers
The WE4A Programme is designed as a comprehensive entrepreneurship support system rather than a one-off grant. Successful applicants gain access to financial resources, structured learning, and long-term mentorship to help their businesses grow and thrive.
Key Benefits Include:
- USD $5,000 non-refundable seed capital to support business growth
- Comprehensive business management training, including a customised green and sustainability-focused curriculum
- One-on-one mentorship from experienced business leaders and industry experts
- Lifetime access to TEFConnect, the Tony Elumelu Foundation’s digital networking and learning platform
- Specialised masterclasses covering finance, leadership, digital growth, resilience, and business expansion
- Access to investor networks, increased visibility, and potential follow-on funding opportunities
Together, these benefits equip entrepreneurs with both the capital and capabilities needed to build resilient, scalable green enterprises.
Supporting Africa’s Green Transformation
The WE4A Programme specifically targets businesses operating in green and sustainable sectors, recognising the critical role these enterprises play in addressing climate change, environmental degradation, and economic inequality.
Eligible sectors include, but are not limited to:
- Renewable energy
- Waste management and recycling
- Sustainable agriculture and food systems
- Climate-smart technologies
- Environmental conservation and green manufacturing
By investing in women-led enterprises within these sectors, the programme contributes directly to Africa’s long-term goals around climate resilience, job creation, and inclusive development.
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
The programme is open to female founders and co-founders who meet the following criteria:
- Must be 18 years or older at the time of application
- Must own or co-own a business that is 0 to 5 years old
- Business must operate in a green or sustainable sector
- Must be based in an eligible African country, including Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, and other participating countries across the continent
This inclusive eligibility framework ensures that early-stage entrepreneurs, who often face the greatest funding barriers, can access meaningful support.
Application Timeline
The application window for the IYBA WE4A Programme 2025 is clearly defined:
- Applications open: 6 October 2025
- Applications close: 25 January 2026
Interested entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply early to allow sufficient time for preparation and submission.
A Strong Global Partnership for Gender and Climate Action
The WE4A Programme represents a powerful collaboration between TEF, the European Union, GIZ, and aligned partners such as OACPS and BMZ. Together, these organisations share a commitment to:
- Advancing women’s economic empowerment
- Accelerating green transformation
- Supporting youth entrepreneurship and innovation
- Driving sustainable development across Africa
This partnership ensures that the programme is not only well-funded but also aligned with global development priorities and regional needs.
Why This Programme Matters
Women entrepreneurs remain significantly underfunded, particularly in climate and green sectors. The WE4A Programme addresses this gap by combining capital with skills, mentorship, and long-term support—enabling women to move from survival-focused businesses to growth-oriented enterprises with regional impact.
By empowering women-led green businesses, the programme strengthens local economies, supports environmental stewardship, and builds a more inclusive future for Africa.
A Call to Action for Women Entrepreneurs
For women entrepreneurs committed to building businesses that protect the environment while creating economic opportunities, the IYBA WE4A Programme 2025 offers a rare and powerful platform.
With funding, training, mentorship, and international backing, the programme equips participants to scale their impact and become leaders in Africa’s green transformation.
Eligible women entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply within the application window and take a bold step toward growing their businesses and shaping a sustainable future for the continent.
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