Funding Opportunities for Female Founders and Entrepreneurs in 2024

As we delve further into Women’s Month this March, we must highlight the funding avenues available to empower female founders and entrepreneurs across Africa. These initiatives offer financial backing and encompass invaluable resources, mentorship programs, and networking opportunities to nurture and propel women in their entrepreneurial journeys.

Let’s do this!

1. Abdul Lateef and Sanni Foundation Womenpreneur Program 2024 (Nigeria) Apply Here: Womenpreneur Program 2024 This initiative empowers women entrepreneurs in Nigeria through comprehensive mentorship, tailored training programs, and substantial funding support.
2. Tony Elumelu Foundation Women Entrepreneurship for Africa Apply Here: Women Entrepreneurship for Africa The Tony Elumelu Foundation’s program is committed to fostering entrepreneurship among women across Africa by offering financial grants, capacity-building workshops, and mentorship opportunities.
3. Microsoft for Startups Apply Here: Microsoft for Startups Microsoft’s startup initiative offers diverse resources, including financial backing, technical support, and access to global networks, to empower female-led startups around the world.
4. Africa’s Business Heroes 2024 Apply Here: Africa’s Business Heroes 2024 This initiative offers substantial grants, tailored training programs, and extensive networking opportunities to support female entrepreneurs across Africa in scaling their ventures.
5. MTN Foundation Y’ellopreneur Apply Here: MTN Foundation Y’ellopreneur MTN Foundation’s Y’ellopreneur program focuses on empowering female entrepreneurs in Nigeria through financial support, mentorship, and capacity-building initiatives.
6. African Women’s Entrepreneurship Program (AWEP) Apply Here: AWEP AWEP aims to bolster the entrepreneurial endeavors of women across Africa by providing training, mentorship, and access to funding opportunities.
7. UNESCO Prize for Girls and Women’s Education Apply Here: UNESCO Prize This prestigious prize recognizes and rewards initiatives that promote girls’ and women’s education, offering visibility and support to projects focused on empowering women through education.
8. Access Bank Youth Thrive Program Apply Here: Youth Thrive Program Access Bank’s Youth Thrive Program provides financial assistance, mentorship, and business support to young entrepreneurs, including female founders, to foster their growth and success.
9. BIC Africa Acceleration Programme 2024 Apply Here: BIC Africa Acceleration Programme This program offers a comprehensive package of support, including funding, mentorship, and access to resources, to accelerate the growth and impact of startups across Africa, particularly those led by women.
10. HiiL Justice Accelerator Programme Apply Here: Justice Accelerator Programme HiiL’s Justice Accelerator Program provides funding, mentorship, and support to startups focused on legal innovation, including initiatives led by female entrepreneurs.
11. L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science International Awards Apply Here: For Women in Science This esteemed award celebrates and supports women researchers worldwide, providing funding and recognition for their groundbreaking scientific contributions.

These funding opportunities are pivotal in advancing gender equality and fostering the success of women entrepreneurs. As we celebrate Women’s Month, let’s continue to champion and invest in female-led businesses, driving progress and innovation across the globe.