We are very excited to kick-off the BIC Africa Online Business Acceleration Programme for women entrepreneurs 2024 cohort! After a rigorous selection process, we have selected 23 participants from a diverse range of backgrounds out of an impressive 139 applications, for the fourth edition. These participants represent 10 Sub-Saharan African countries. The programme aims at transforming their business into sustainable and scalable ventures.
The programme officially began on April 22nd and will continue until July 2024. It is tailored for established, post-revenue women entrepreneurs who have registered startups or businesses across all sectors. The programme offers a blend of online training modules, coaching sessions, individual exercises, and networking sessions, all aimed at transforming their business potential into long-term success.
Over the next four months, the participants will benefit from six online interactive training modules, four online group coaching sessions, and two networking sessions. These resources will enhance their capacities in key areas such as Value Proposition, Product Development, Business Model, Team & Partnerships, Finance, and Marketing. The sessions will be led by female experts in the field of entrepreneurship and professionals from Africa and Europe.
In addition, we have five women business incubation experts from Comoros, Madagascar, and Somalia shadowing the acceleration programme. They will gain valuable insights from the BIC Africa acceleration programme, which will be beneficial for them to run similar acceleration programmes in their own countries. They will also provide personalised technical support to the entrepreneurs from their respective countries.
Kholofelo Nengwenda, CEO of Cartridge Depot (Pty) Ltd, expressed her excitement about being part of the 2024 cohort, “Being part of the BIC Africa Acceleration Programme for women entrepreneurs 2024 cohort initiative means the world to me, as it’s a chance to be part of something truly empowering for female entrepreneurs across Africa. The journey has already begun, and I can’t wait to soak up every moment of the training, networking, and coaching sessions. It’s a fantastic opportunity to grow alongside a community of inspiring women who share the same passion for making a difference in our communities.”
In addition, the programme will open the door for further opportunities and awards like t one-to-one mentoring session and Other Business Awards. The selected participants will also be introduced to the alumnae network of the BIC Africa Women Acceleration programme, and they will gain access to other networking and market linkage opportunities through the BIC Africa and other external events.
These 23 participants geared up to elevate their startups to new heights offering innovative solutions in sectors including Agriculture, food, digital technology, energy, health, manufacturing, services, and retail.
BIC Africa places special emphasis on women-owned or led businesses. The Acceleration programme provides the participants with hands-on business acceleration experience designed to nurture and fast-track their path to scale-up and secure investments.
Since its inception in 2021, we have supported 62 innovative women entrepreneurs from the BIC Africa target countries (Angola, Comoros, Ethiopia, Madagascar, and Somalia) and others from sub-Saharan African countries, operating in various sectors and at different business stages. Many of these women entrepreneurs who completed the acceleration programme have been able to improve their business operations, create new jobs, and even secure funding right after completion of the programme.
We would like to express our gratitude to the EU, our financial partner, for their support in making this year’s and previous programmes a reality.
Congratulations to all the selected women entrepreneurs for earning a spot on this year’s acceleration programme. We look forward to witnessing your growth and success.