WE4A Launches in Kenya to Empower Women in Green Innovation

Over 1,000 women entrepreneurs across eight African countries, including Kenya, are set to benefit from the Women Entrepreneurship for Africa (IYBA–WE4A) program — a grant initiative set to redefine women’s entrepreneurship across Sub-Saharan Africa. The WE4A Program was officially launched in Kenya.

The Investing in Young Businesses in Africa – Women Entrepreneurship for Africa (IYBA-WE4A) Program aims to empower women running green and sustainable enterprises in Kenya and beyond.

Supported by the European Union (EU), the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), and Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the program will be implemented by the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, and Goodwell Investments.

The WE4A initiative seeks to equip women entrepreneurs with more than just financial capital; it offers a holistic platform for growth through training, mentorship, and access to powerful business networks. With a focus on green and impact-driven ventures, the program targets women-led enterprises in eight African countries: Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Malawi, Mozambique, Senegal, Togo, and Cameroon.

Applications opened on October 6, 2025, and close on January 25, 2026, allowing early-stage women entrepreneurs to join a transformative entrepreneurship journey structured around five key phases: application, training and masterclasses, mentorship, business plan and pitch submission, and finally, access to seed capital. Successful applicants will receive non-repayable grants of USD 5,000, along with technical training and personalized coaching designed to sharpen their business acumen and growth strategies.

Beyond funding, WE4A focuses on long-term sustainability by helping entrepreneurs to access larger financing opportunities, from equity investments to blended finance. Participants will benefit from specialized training on business strategy, digital innovation, and sustainable operations, ensuring that their enterprises can thrive in increasingly competitive markets.

The mentorship component pairs participants with seasoned professionals and industry experts, fostering one-on-one guidance, peer learning, and practical exposure. In addition, the program connects women to local and international markets, offering opportunities to showcase their products and services to investors, corporate leaders, and policymakers.

For many, the impact of WE4A extends beyond individual success. The initiative is designed to create ripple effects in local communities through job creation, poverty reduction, and the advancement of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly gender equality and decent work.

Speaking at a workshop held in Nairobi, Kenya, Oniye Okolo, Policy & Partnerships Officer at the Tony Elumelu Foundation, reaffirmed the foundation’s mission to empower African entrepreneurs.

“The Tony Elumelu Foundation is the foremost philanthropic institution driving entrepreneurship across all 54 African countries,” Oniye stated. “Anchored on the philosophy of Africapitalism, our Chairman, Tony Elumelu, believes that Africans hold the power to transform the continent. This belief inspires our mission to empower entrepreneurs to deliver African solutions to African challenges.”

Maureen Amakabane, founder of Nyayo Soko Moms, and a beneficiary of the Women Entrepreneurship for Africa (WE4A) Programme, and TEF Alumni Hub Lead – Kenya Chapter, shared her inspiring journey, reflecting on how the programme has empowered her through access to capital, markets, and valuable networks. “The support I received through the grant enabled significant growth of my online marketplace for women,” she said. “I encourage fellow women entrepreneurs to value every step of their journey through the Tony Elumelu Foundation to turn their potential into tangible success.”

Since 2015, the Tony Elumelu Foundation has trained over 2.5 million young African Entrepreneurs and provided direct funding to 24,000 entrepreneurs. 1,292 Kenyans have been beneficiaries of the funding in Kenya.

In the words of one of the program’s guiding principles, “WE4A goes beyond funding — it equips women with the capital, skills, networks, and visibility to turn bold ideas into sustainable engines of growth and impact.”

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