Creative Space Startups, a non-profit organization, is delighted to announce the opening of applications for the selection of 100 women-led Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria and Cameroon for the third cohort of Growth4Her.
Growth4Her, operating as a consortium involving Creative Space Startups, SocioCapital Impact Group, The Learning Gate, and ActivSpaces, is an investor readiness accelerator program aimed at supporting and empowering women entrepreneurs.
The program provides capacity building and tools to scale up businesses, with a proven track record of success in transitioning participants from small to high-potential, fundable growth-stage enterprises.
“We are excited to welcome the next generation of bold and innovative women leaders to the Growth4Her program,” says Sefunmi Obielodan, Program Manager at Creative Space Startups.
“By investing in women entrepreneurs, we are driving economic growth and fostering a more inclusive and sustainable future for Africa.”
Despite Africa having the highest proportion of women entrepreneurs, access to funding remains a significant challenge. Growth4Her, as an AFAWA Women Entrepreneurship Enabler funded by the African Development Bank’s AFAWA initiative, addresses this gap. Over the next five years, the program aims to empower 1,500 women entrepreneurs across 10 African cities, focusing on Women-led Small and Medium Enterprises (WSMEs).
Selected women entrepreneurs will receive capacity building, mentorship, psychosocial and policy support, access to funding, media exposure, and exposure to markets across Africa and beyond.
To be eligible, businesses must meet specific criteria, including being at least 51% owned by a woman, having a woman serving as a C-Level Executive, or having a board of directors with at least 30% women members. Additionally, businesses must operate in Cameroon or Nigeria, have between 5 and 300 employees, and annual sales between US$35,000 and US$15 million.
Applications are open until March 6, 2024. Women-led SMEs interested in applying can visit www.growth4her.org/apply for more information and to submit their applications.
