WE4A II: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Following the successful pilot of the WE4A programme in 2021, the Foundation in partnership with the European Union (EU) and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) has launched the WE4A II for sustainable and inclusive growth.

This partnership is part of the overall IYBA-WE4A programme which will work to strengthen the entrepreneurship ecosystems, access to finance and capacities of women-led MSMEs and start-ups in selected countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The design of the IYBA-WE4A programme seeks to address the existing capacity, business services and funding gaps for its target group -women-led MSMEs and start-ups- and strengthen relevant networks and learning on successful pathways for women entrepreneurs. Overall, the IYBA-WE4A programme in encouraging and sustaining women entrepreneurs and their businesses contributes to the creation of employment and economic prosperity.

FAQs 2024: WE4A II

• What is IYBA-WE4A? IYBA-WE4A stands for Investing in Young Businesses in Africa – Women Entrepreneurship for Africa. The programme is aimed at empowering women entrepreneurs in selected Sub-Saharan countries through entrepreneurial skills and seed-funding.
• What are the goals of IYBA-WE4A? The initiative seeks to address economic challenges in Africa by empowering women and youth through entrepreneurship, with a focus on financial and digital inclusion and sustainable development goals.
• How does IYBA-WE4A support women entrepreneurs? This programme provides training, coaching, mentoring, and funding to women-owned businesses, with a special focus on green businesses and sectors contributing to the green transformation. It aims to increase the viability and survival rates of these enterprises.
• What are the sectors of focus? This programme will focus on green sectors and entrepreneurs working on greening initiatives through their businesses. Green sectors include the following and women operating in these sectors are welcome to apply –
  • i. Sustainable agriculture and agricultural processing
  • ii. Blue economy and aquaculture
  • iii. Renewable energy
  • iv. Circular economy and waste management including biomass
  • v. Eco-tourism
• What are the countries of implementation? Kenya, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda, Malawi, Senegal, Cameroon, and Togo
• Who can apply for the IYBA-WE4A Entrepreneurial Skills and Seed-Funding programme? Women entrepreneurs in Cameroon, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo and Uganda with existing businesses or business ideas that drive the green transformation can apply for the programme.
• How does one apply for the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme under the IYBA-WE4A initiative? Interested individuals with existing businesses or business ideas can apply on TEFConnect. The application is currently open and closes on March 31^st, 2024.  
• What kind of support do selected women entrepreneurs receive from the WE4A II Entrepreneurship Programme? Selected women entrepreneurs will receive the TEF Business Management training. A bespoke Green Economy and digital inclusion training, mentorship. Also a non-refundable seed-funding grant of USD 5,000. They also get access to networking opportunities, additional funding possibilities, and are integrated into the TEF Alumni network. This is upon completion of the programme.