WE4A (Investing in Young Business in Africa- Women Entrepreneurship for Africa) Entrepreneurship Programme is a programme jointly supported by the European Union (EU), the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and implemented by the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, and the Seedstars Association for Entrepreneurship in Emerging Markets (SAFEEM).
Programme Objective
The programme aims to empower women entrepreneurs in Sub-Saharan Africa by enhancing their access to finance and business knowledge. It focuses on green businesses and seeks to drive economic inclusion, job creation, and sustainable development.
Target Countries
Women entrepreneurs operating green businesses (0–5 years old) in the following countries are eligible:
• Senegal
• Togo
• Malawi
• Uganda
• Cameroon
• Kenya
• Mozambique
• Tanzania.
The Programme Structure
The IYBA- WE4A Entrepreneurship Programme identifies outstanding African women entrepreneurs who have green start-ups or business ideas with the potential to grow. The IYBA-WE4A Entrepreneurship Programme will be delivered in different phases as listed below:
The IYBA-WE4A Programme will be delivered in five phases:
1. Application Phase
2. Training Phase & Masterclass Sessions
3. Mentorship Programme
4. Business Plan, Financials & Pitch Video Submission
5. Seed Capital Phase
1. THE APPLICATION PHASE
• Launch Date: October 6, 2025
• Deadline: January 25, 2026 (Midnight WAT)
Applicants must complete the online form on www.tefconnect.com using a valid email address they can regularly access. The form includes:
1. Personal Information
2. Business Details
3. Business Acumen Assessment
4. Industry-Specific Questions
5. Declarations
Required Documents:
• Valid government-issued ID
• Recent headshot photo
Important: Names must be spelled exactly as they appear on the ID and match the TEFConnect profile.
ALL APPLICANTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO:
1. Complete all mandatory fields in the online application form on TEFConnect.
2. Submit the form.
3. Attach all the requested documents (valid identity card and photo headshot) and upload the required documents
4. You will receive a notification on eligibility & next steps of the programme on screen and via email.
Eligibility Notification
After submission, applicants will receive an on-screen and email notification regarding their eligibility status.
Eligible applicants will:
• Receive onboarding communication
• Gain access to the training curriculum
• Participate in mentorship, business planning, and attend the virtual masterclasses series.
Ineligible applicants are encouraged to continue developing their business skills and reapply in future opportunities.
2. THE TRAINING PHASE
Shortlisted applicants will access a customised Business Management and Green Business curriculum via TEFConnect (www.tefconnect.com). Requirements include:
• Completion of all training modules and multiple-choice assessments
• Participation in cluster engagement groups for networking and mentorship
Note: 100% completion of the training is mandatory to proceed to the next phase (business plan, financials, and pitch video submission).
3. THE BUSINESS PLAN, FINANCIALS, AND PITCH VIDEO SUBMISSION AND REVIEW PHASE
All participant who successfully complete all trainings will be asked to submit a business plan, financials and 2-3 mins pitch video. Each participant will be required to use the knowledge and skillsets obtained during the training programme to develop a Business Plan and financials.
We will give you access to the business plan & financials templates. In addition to these documents, you will be required to create and submit a 2–3-minute pitch video
After submissions, your documents will be reviewed by a third-party consultant who will screen and score your submissions. After the review phase of the programme, you will receive an eligibility status confirming you will move to the next phase of the programme and receive quality feedback and areas of improvement from the consultant.
Participants who successfully complete the training phase will be required to submit the following:
• A Business Plan
• Financial Documents
• A 2–3-minute Pitch Video
These submissions must reflect the knowledge and skills gained during the training. Templates for the business plan and financials will be provided by the WE4A team.
The Review Process
All submissions will be evaluated by a third-party consultant who will:
• Screen and score the documents
• Provide feedback and areas for improvement
• Confirm eligibility for the next phase
4. SEED CAPITAL PHASE
SUBMISSION OF SEED CAPITAL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Participants selected after the review phase must begin the process of:
• Registering their business (if not already registered)
• Opening a business bank account
Banking Requirements:
• Participants in countries with UBA presence must open accounts with UBA, Citibank, or Standard Chartered Bank.
• Participants in countries without UBA presence must open accounts with a reputable commercial bank regulated by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Required Documents for Seed Capital Disbursement:
1. Original government-approved ID card (must be one of the listed types)
2. Business Registration Certificate
3. Evidence of Tax Registration (must be in the business name)
4. Bank Reference Letter (must match business name across all documents)
5. Partner’s Consent Form (if applicable)
6. Medical Report (for participants living with disabilities).
Important Notes:
• Ensure the photo on your ID matches your pitch video.
• Business name must be consistent across all documents.
• Your business plan must align with your pitch video.
• Comply with all programme terms and conditions.
• Seed capital document Submission does not guarantee seed capital disbursement.
• All documents will be reviewed and endorsed by the TEF Audit Team
• Fraudulent or invalid documents will result in removal from the programme
5. THE PHYSICAL VERIFICATION EXERCISE
Only participants who submit valid seed capital documents will be invited for physical verification.
Requirements:
• Be physically present at the designated venue and time
• Bring your valid ID, business registration, and supporting documents
Further details will be shared during the programme.
Next Steps:
Participants who successfully pass the physical verification will proceed to the final document review by the TEF Audit Team.
6. THE SEED CAPITAL DISBURSEMENT
The Participants who:
• Complete all programme phases
• Submit valid business documents
• Have their business bank accounts verified
…will receive seed capital in their business bank accounts. They will also be awarded a Programme Certificate of Completion and Achievement.