Year Four AWEC Applications Reflect The Hope and Resilience of African Women Entrepreneurs
As theologian Martin Luther rightly said, “Anything that is done in this world is done by hope.“ Never has this sentiment been more appropriate than now, as small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Africa and throughout the world attempt to rebound from the devastating effects of COVID-19.
Despite the findings of an International Trade Centre survey that 74% of African businesses were strongly affected by the pandemic, at AWEC, we are witnessing phoenixes rise from the ashes.
African women entrepreneurs remain determined to build and grow their businesses and we saw this commitment reflected in the applications received in January 2021 for our fourth cohort. Thanks to a collaborative effort from our partners, stakeholders, and alumnae (and multimedia elements like this one), we had a highly successful two-week application window, during which we saw:
More than 2,600 entrepreneurs interested in joining our next cohort
Applicants from 45 countries, with the most from Nigeria, Kenya, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Malawi
A concentration of applications from agriculture, food processing, apparel, education, and retail
Reading about the business models, challenges, and motivations of the women seeking to join our next cohort are constant reminders of their commitment to increase their skills as they pivot and adjust their businesses to meet changing conditions.
“Education is the great equalizer of our time. It gives hope to the hopeless and creates chances for those without,”
Kofi Annan, former Secretary-General of the United Nations.
Enabling more equal access to learning, networking, and mentoring opportunities that are critical to building resilient businesses is central to AWEC’s mission. As applicants to our next cohort await our notification, here are three things that accepted Fellows can look forward to:
Access to a world-class curriculum designed to meet the needs of African businesswomen and entrepreneurs: Each month, program Fellows participate in live webinars led by internationally renowned business and academic leaders, followed by assignments that challenge Fellows to apply their newfound knowledge to their businesses.
Gain the opportunity to develop one-on-one relationships with mentors: The mentors in our program are senior business professionals from across the globe, thoughtfully matched with program Fellows to create powerful personal and professional growth opportunities.
A supportive network of peers from across the continent and diaspora: Business ownership can be a lonely experience, especially as the pandemic continues to impact our daily lives. Being part of a pan-African community of other women entrepreneurs cannot only make the journey less isolating but also a lot more fun.
Stay tuned for our announcements in April when we notify applicants of our decisions!