Past Programmes

<!– wp:lazyblock/programme {"stage":"Growth & Scale Stage","status":"Closed","is_flagship":false,"p_desc":"A regional initiative to unlock the potential of women bio-entrepreneurs, FemBioBiz supported over 200 participants to grow sustainable, impactful enterprises within the bioscience ecosystem.","details":"

Region: SADC Region

A regional initiative to unlock the potential of women bio-entrepreneurs, FemBioBiz supported over 200 participants to grow sustainable, impactful enterprises within the bioscience ecosystem.

Sponsored by NEPAD-SANBio and aligned with the African Union’s Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa 2024 under Agenda 2063, the programme advanced innovation-led, knowledge-based economies while addressing priorities including food security, health and well-being.

AWIEF served as South Africa Country Coordinator and Implementing Partner, igniting impact through:

• Training, mentorship, coaching and masterclasses
• Strengthening resilience, technology adoption and market access
• Supporting participants to leverage digital platforms to reach new markets
• Fostering a connected network with improved access to knowledge, finance and partnerships

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<!– wp:lazyblock/programme {"stage":"Growth & Scale Stage","status":"Closed","is_flagship":false,"p_desc":"This programme directly addressed gender financing gaps across Africa through increased access to capital, markets and business support.","details":"

Region: Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Zambia, Rwanda, Malawi, Tanzania and Zimbabwe

This programme directly addressed gender financing gaps across Africa through increased access to capital, markets and business support.

Over 500 growth-orientated women-led SMEs strengthened their investment readiness and scaled their businesses further via 4 key components:

• AWIEF Growth Accelerator (AGA) – in partnership with Nedbank
• ECommerce Capacity Development (with UNIDO), strengthening digital market capacities
• Digital skills training (with Amazon Web Services), supporting technology adoption
• A mentorship and advisory platform, connecting entrepreneurs with industry experts and role models

Through an integrated approach, and in partnership with the African Development Bank through its Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA) initiative, the programme has built a strong pipeline of investable women-led businesses, advancing in our mission towards inclusive economic transformation across African markets.

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<!– wp:lazyblock/programme {"stage":"Growth & Scale Stage","status":"Closed","is_flagship":false,"p_desc":"A two-year continental programme (2018 u2013 2020), VALUE4HER significantly increased participation levels and success rates of 1000+ women beneficiaries in high-value agricultural markets.","details":"

Region: Pan-African

A two-year continental programme (2018 u2013 2020), VALUE4HER significantly increased participation levels and success rates of 1000+ women beneficiaries in high-value agricultural markets.

The programme focused on advancing women agribusiness leaders and driving economic change through:

• Targeted skills development in business management and leadership
• Facilitation of strong linkages to national, regional, and global markets.
• Promotion of cross-border and cross-industry knowledge sharing
• Advocacy
• Digital networking opportunities

Implemented in partnership with African Women Agribusiness Network (AWAN) and funded by the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA), an institution financed by the European Union, VALUE4HER supported women entrepreneurs across agricultural value chains to grow competitive, scalable, and sustainable businesses.

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<!– wp:lazyblock/programme {"stage":"Growth & Scale Stage","status":"Closed","is_flagship":false,"p_desc":"A flagship U.S. Department of State initiative active in 120+ countries, AWE partnered with AWIEF to support over 800 women entrepreneurs across Southern Africa with the skills, tools and networks to build and scale sustainable businesses.","details":"

Region: Lesotho, Eswatini and South Africa

A flagship U.S. Department of State initiative active in 120+ countries, AWE partnered with AWIEF to support over 800 women entrepreneurs across Southern Africa with the skills, tools and networks to build and scale sustainable businesses.

Part of the White House-led Women’s Global Development and Prosperity (W-GDP) Initiative, targeting 50 million women globally, the programme delivered world-class entrepreneurship education through DreamBuilder and the Najafi 100 Million Learners Global Initiative, in partnership with Thunderbird School of Global Management.

In partnership with the U.S. Mission to South Africa, AWIEF delivered impact through:

• Fully sponsored business training and expert-led facilitation
• Combined online and in-person learning, mentorship and peer engagement
• Business management skills and viable business plan development
• Connection to regional and global ecosystems, including the U.S. alumni network

Launched in South Africa in 2020, the programme expanded to Lesotho and Eswatini under the AWE LESA model in 2023u20132024, advancing inclusive entrepreneurship across the region.

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<!– wp:lazyblock/programme {"stage":"Growth & Scale Stage","status":"Closed","is_flagship":false,"p_desc":"Delivered in partnership with GIZ and Amazon Web Services (AWS), this programme equipped 60 unemployed and underemployed young women with in-demand digital and cloud computing skills to strengthen their employability and income-generating potential.","details":"

Region: South Africa

Delivered in partnership with GIZ and Amazon Web Services (AWS), this programme equipped 60 unemployed and underemployed young women with in-demand digital and cloud computing skills to strengthen their employability and income-generating potential.

Running from March to October 2022, the intensive 12-week programme combined virtual and in-person learning through the AWS re/Start initiative, delivering:

• Technical digital and cloud computing skills
• Soft skills development and mentorship from AWS professionals
• Industry certification pathways
• Work placements and continued post-training support

By building job-readiness, entrepreneurial capability, and digital confidence, the programme created real pathways into the digital economy, advancing gender inclusion in South Africa’s technology sector.

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<!– wp:lazyblock/programme {"stage":"Growth & Scale Stage","status":"Closed","is_flagship":false,"p_desc":"A two-year, European Union co-funded initiative, WITH equipped a new generation of women entrepreneurs with the skills, knowledge and competencies to succeed in a rapidly evolving, sustainability-driven tourism and hospitality sector.","details":"

Region: Sub-Saharan Africa

A two-year, European Union co-funded initiative, WITH equipped a new generation of women entrepreneurs with the skills, knowledge and competencies to succeed in a rapidly evolving, sustainability-driven tourism and hospitality sector.

Implemented by a six-partner consortium spanning Africa and Europe, including AWIEF, CESIE (Italy), INCOMA (Spain), the Seville Chamber of Commerce (Spain), Equip Consulting Group (Malawi) and Gift Women Link Foundation (Uganda), the project drove impact through:

• Enhancing entrepreneurial soft skills and sustainable tourism practices
• Supporting trainers and educators to align VET systems with labour market needs
• Fostering experiential learning through public and private sector collaboration

The project culminated in a Final Conference alongside AWIEF2024 in Cape Town, showcasing outcomes and engaging stakeholders from across the tourism and hospitality ecosystem.

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<!– wp:lazyblock/programme {"stage":"Growth & Scale Stage","status":"Closed","is_flagship":false,"p_desc":"Supporting 100 SMEs across nine Southern African countries, with at least 60% women-owned or women-led, this programme strengthened SME competitiveness, investment readiness and trade and export capabilities by leveraging the flagship AWIEF Growth Accelerator and the AWIEF Community digital platform.","details":"

Region: Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zambia

Supporting 100 SMEs across nine Southern African countries, with at least 60% women-owned or women-led, this programme strengthened SME competitiveness, investment readiness and trade and export capabilities by leveraging the flagship AWIEF Growth Accelerator and the AWIEF Community digital platform.

Focusing on scalable early- and growth-stage businesses in agriculture, agro-processing, and textiles and apparel, the programme delivered:

• Business education, training and investment readiness support
• Improved governance, regulatory compliance and risk management
• Reduced transaction costs and improved access to finance (below $1 million)
• Pathways to regional and international market expansion

The initiative built a more inclusive, export-oriented SME ecosystem in Southern Africa, supporting sustainable growth and deeper regional economic integration.

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