Women entrepreneurs play a significant role in the African economy, contributing $350 billion (13% of the continent’s GDP in 2022). Despite this substantial impact, many female entrepreneurs face challenges such as limited access to training, markets, networks, and finance.
In response to these challenges, the 50 Million African Women Speak Platform (50MAWSP) was launched in collaboration with COMESA, EAC, and ECOWAS to provide women entrepreneurs with business knowledge, networking opportunities, and access to finance.
To build on this initiative, the Bootcamp for African Women Entrepreneurs was designed to:
The bootcamp aimed to equip 1,000 women entrepreneurs with practical business skills, mentorship, and post-program support to enhance their entrepreneurial success.
Pre-Training Needs Assessment
Surveys and interviews were conducted with women entrepreneurs to identify key challenges they faced in training, market access, networking, and financing. The collected data was then analyzed to gain insights into their specific needs, allowing for the development of a tailored curriculum that ensured the training was relevant, practical, and impactful for all participants.
Outreach & Application Process
A call for applications was developed and launched in both English and French to ensure broad participation across multiple African regions. Applications were then screened using a well-defined selection criterion, resulting in the selection of 1,000 women entrepreneurs to take part in the program.
Bootcamp Training & Capacity Building
A customized training curriculum was developed to cover essential topics, including Business Development & Strategy, Accessing Markets & Scaling Enterprises, Financial Management & Investment Readiness, Digital Transformation & E-Commerce, and Branding & Marketing for Business Growth. In addition to the curriculum, business tools and training modules were created to enhance the learning experience during the bootcamp. Training sessions were facilitated in both English and French, ensuring accessibility for a diverse group of entrepreneurs across multiple regions.
Mentorship & Personalized Coaching
One-on-one mentorship and coaching were provided to participants, offering personalized guidance tailored to their business challenges and growth strategies. Additionally, an online helpdesk tool was established to provide real-time answers to entrepreneurs' queries, ensuring continuous support and accessibility throughout the program.
Post-Bootcamp Recommendations & Support
Recommendations for post-program support were developed to ensure a long-term impact on the participants and their businesses. Additionally, strategic advice was provided on future entrepreneurship support programs, with a particular focus on enhancing opportunities for women entrepreneurs across Africa.