Invitation to Apply
During our two-week application period, AWEC receives an average of over 3,000 applications for just 200 program spots. Our acceptance rate for this highly competitive program is approximately 6%. We have curated resources to help applicants submit their strongest applications and boost their chances of getting in.
Applications for Cohort 8 will open at 12:01 am UTC on 19 January 2025 and close on 2 February 2025 at 11:59 pm UTC.
Hear AWEC alumna, Amanda Akushie’s (Ghana), invitation to apply.
Eligibility
Female
African country of origin
A for-profit business owner in operation of a minimum 2 years in any industry with at least 2 employees, full-time or part-time
You must be the only one in your business applying
Or aspiring entrepreneur with a business plan who has not yet launched
Access to a reliable internet connection with sufficient bandwidth for video calls over the 12-month period
Professional working proficiency in English
How to Write a Killer Application
Hear AWEC alumna, Perpetua Omondi’s (Kenya) tips for submitting a strong application
A Transformative Program
The African Women Entrepreneurship Cooperative is an innovative 12-month, leadership and business management capacity building program that empowers 200 female entrepreneurs annually.
AWEC uses applied and collaborative learning experiences to create immediate business impact and cultivate a pan-African cooperative of entrepreneurs, experts, and allies. The program’s blended-learning model - in which most activities take place digitally - releases AWEC from the traditional confines of in-person training programs and enables us to impact entrepreneurs across the continent and diaspora.
Interactive Learning
Online and in-person learning opportunities led by business experts and academics
Applied Assignments
Individual applied learning assignments and collaborative team projects
High-Quality Mentoring
One-on-one mentoring from senior business professionals
Follow us for more information
Peer Network
Online and offline peer networking and feedback
World Class Curriculum and Instructors
The AWEC curriculum is designed to meet the needs of African business women 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.
Past and present instructors include experts from Google, Lagos Business School, Facebook, Ogilvy, CRE Venture Capital, and many others.
AWEC Fellows not only gain rare insights from industry titans in group learning settings, but also have the opportunity to develop one-on-one relationships with mentors. Our network of senior business professionals from across the globe is thoughtfully matched with program Fellows to create powerful personal and professional growth opportunities. Mentor relationships often continue to deepen even after the program year officially ends.
AWEC Fellows
The 1,400 women in the AWEC community represent 53 African countries and the diaspora. Some are veteran business owners seeking an extra edge to scale their enterprises, while others are in their first year and want to create a sound financial and management foundation for their business. Still others are career women who have nurtured an aspiration to strike out on their own and are seeking AWEC’s MBA-on-steroids experience to jumpstart their idea.
We embrace the diverse experiences and knowledge that AWEC Fellows bring to their cohorts. The range of business experiences, industry knowledge, and functional areas of expertise create a rich community from which to learn. As a cooperative, we draw strength from the knowledge and effort that each member is willing to share.