TEF, Partners Begin Verification of 1,000+ Women Entrepreneurs Driving Africa’s Green Economy

The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), in partnership with the European Union (EU), the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), has completed the first phase of its physical verification exercise for women entrepreneurs participating in the second cohort of the Investing in Young Businesses in Africa – Women Entrepreneurship for Africa (IYBA-WE4A) Programme in Kenya.

The verification exercise commenced in Kisumu, where the Tony Elumelu Foundation team engaged directly with women entrepreneurs to validate their operations and gain deeper insight into the innovative green businesses they are building. From sustainable agriculture and circular economy solutions to other enterprises driving Africa’s green transformation, the physical verification exercise provided an opportunity to witness first-hand the impact and potential of women-led businesses on the ground.

Today, the physical verification exercise continues in Nairobi, where the Tony Elumelu Foundation team will engage with more women entrepreneurs participating in the IYBA-WE4A Programme. Following Kenya, the exercise will continue in Cameroon in the coming days, before progressing across the other participating countries.

The physical verification exercise is taking place across eight African countries – Cameroon, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo and Uganda – marking a significant milestone in the selection process for the programme’s second cohort.

Following the successful implementation of the first cohort, which supported 751 African women-led green businesses with USD 3.99 million in funding, the second cohort aims to reach over 1,000 women entrepreneurs building innovative businesses and solutions across Africa’s green economy.

The physical verification exercise is designed to validate applicants’ businesses, operations and eligibility, while providing an opportunity for programme teams to engage directly with entrepreneurs and better understand the realities, opportunities and challenges shaping their businesses.

Participating women entrepreneurs have already undergone comprehensive business management training through the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme, including a customised green curriculum designed to strengthen their business capabilities and readiness for growth.

Following the successful completion of the verification and selection process, eligible entrepreneurs will receive a comprehensive package of support, including:

• USD 5,000 in non-refundable seed capital to scale their businesses;
• Mentorship and lifetime access to TEFConnect, enabling sustained growth, investment readiness and access to further opportunities; and
• Specialised masterclasses led by industry experts and entrepreneurs,

covering finance, resilience, digital growth, leadership and business expansion.

The programme supports women entrepreneurs operating in sectors critical to Africa’s green transformation, including sustainable agriculture, the blue economy, renewable energy, the circular economy, eco-tourism, construction and logistics.

Through the second cohort, the EU, OACPS, BMZ, GIZ and TEF are deepening their shared commitment to advancing women’s economic empowerment, financial inclusion and sustainable development across Africa.

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