FAMReports Opportunity Desk | January 2026
The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) has officially opened applications for the Investing in Young Businesses in Africa Women Entrepreneurship for Africa IYBA WE4A Programme, calling on women entrepreneurs across selected African countries to apply. The programme is designed to empower women building green and environmentally sustainable businesses through access to seed capital, mentorship, and high quality business training.
WE4A forms part of TEF’s broader commitment to entrepreneurship as a catalyst for inclusive economic growth and environmental sustainability across the continent.
What the Programme Offers
Successful applicants to the WE4A Programme will receive $5,000 in non dilutive seed capital, aimed at supporting early stage growth and business expansion. This funding is complemented by world class entrepreneurship training and mentorship, delivered through the Tony Elumelu Foundation’s established digital learning platforms and expert networks.
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Participants also gain access to exclusive entrepreneurial networks, peer learning communities, and tailored advisory support. This guidance focuses on strengthening green business models, improving operational efficiency, and positioning ventures for long term sustainability and scale.
Who Is Eligible to Apply
The programme is open to women entrepreneurs based in Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda, Cameroon, Kenya, Mozambique, Malawi, and Togo. Applicants must be developing green business ideas or operating existing businesses that contribute to environmental sustainability, climate resilience, or resource efficiency.
Eligible businesses must be registered and operational for five years or less at the time of application. This criterion ensures the programme targets early stage and growth oriented enterprises that can benefit most from structured support and catalytic funding.
Why the WE4A Programme Matters
Women entrepreneurs remain underrepresented in access to finance and business development services across Africa, particularly within the green economy. The WE4A Programme directly addresses this gap by providing women founders with the tools, capital, and networks required to scale solutions that generate both economic and environmental impact.
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By supporting women led green enterprises, the programme contributes to job creation, sustainable livelihoods, and climate positive growth in participating countries. It also strengthens women’s leadership within emerging green sectors that are critical to Africa’s development future.
Application Timeline and Next Steps
Applications for the IYBA WE4A Programme close on January 25, 2026. Women entrepreneurs who meet the eligibility criteria are encouraged to apply early and prepare the required documentation in advance.
Applicants should clearly articulate their business idea or venture, demonstrate alignment with green economy principles, and outline how the seed funding and mentorship will accelerate growth and impact.
A Pathway to Growth and Impact
The Tony Elumelu Foundation WE4A Programme continues to serve as a powerful entry point for women entrepreneurs seeking to build resilient, scalable, and environmentally responsible businesses. For women founders across the eligible countries, the programme represents not only funding support, but a pathway into a continental network of entrepreneurs shaping Africa’s sustainable future.
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