The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), in partnership with the European Union (EU), Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), has announced the launch of the second cohort of the Investing in Young Businesses in Africa – Women Entrepreneurship for Africa (IYBA–WE4A) Programme.
Following the success of the first cohort, which empowered 751 African women-led green enterprises with $3.99 million in funding, the partners are scaling up their impact to support over 1,000 additional women entrepreneurs driving innovation across Africa’s key green sectors.
Applications officially open today, October 6, 2025, and will close on January 25, 2026. Successful applicants will receive $5,000 in non-refundable seed capital, tailored business management training, mentorship, and lifetime access to TEFConnect—the Foundation’s digital platform for sustained growth and investment readiness.
Targeted sectors include sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, blue and circular economy, eco-tourism, construction, and logistics. The programme also features specialised masterclasses on finance, leadership, resilience, digital transformation, and business expansion.
Through this initiative, the EU, OACPS, BMZ, GIZ, and TEF reaffirm their shared commitment to advancing gender equality, green entrepreneurship, and inclusive economic development in Africa, in line with the EU Gender Action Plan (GAP III).
Speaking on the launch, Somachi Chris-Asoluka, Chief Executive Officer of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, said:
“At the Tony Elumelu Foundation, we have seen first-hand the transformative power of supporting women entrepreneurs. Having successfully implemented the first cohort, we are excited to scale up our impact to empower even more African women-led businesses. This partnership accelerates Africa’s inclusive, green economy and demonstrates the limitless potential of African women when given the right support.”
Romina Kochius, Director of Programme, WE4D, also emphasised the importance of the private sector in driving sustainable transformation:
“The private sector plays a key role in bringing about change to poverty, equality, and social progress. With a project of this dimension, we are expected to drive real change.”
Interested applicants are encouraged to apply via www.TEFConnect.com before the January 25, 2026 deadline.
Over 1,000 Women-Led Businesses to Benefit from Second Cohort of IYBA–WE4A Programme
