I&P Acceleration WE4A (Women Entrepreneurship for Africa) is an acceleration programme led by Investisseurs & Partenaires (I&P), designed to finance and support small and medium-sized enterprises that are owned or co-owned and managed by women. The programme specifically targets women-led businesses operating in green and transition sectors, offering financial and technical support to enhance resilience, sustainability, and long-term growth. The initiative is part of the broader pan-African programme Investing in Young Businesses in Africa – Women Entrepreneurship for Africa (IYBA WE4A), co-financed by the European Union, the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), and the German Development Cooperation through GIZ. Through this partnership, the programme promotes inclusive economic development while supporting women entrepreneurs in emerging green industries. Programme Overview Key programme information includes: Calendar: 2025–2027 Size: €3.5 million Geographical focus: Cameroon, Uganda, Senegal, Togo Sectors: Green and greening sectors Portfolio: 140 women-led businesses Sponsors: EU, OACPS, BMZ The programme aims to increase women’s participation in climate-resilient entrepreneurship and to strengthen the operational capacity of early-stage businesses across multiple African markets. Why This Programme Matters In Cameroon, Senegal, Togo, and Uganda, small businesses represent a significant share of the local economy, yet many face a funding gap estimated at more than €15 billion. The majority operate informally and are constrained by: Limited access to affordable finance High microfinance costs Restricted credit from commercial banks due to lack of collateral or financial history Women entrepreneurs face additional barriers, including: Gender bias within financial institutions Limited access to collateral and professional networks Cultural and social norms that restrict business development The dual burden of managing both domestic and professional duties Despite their strong involvement in entrepreneurship, women receive less than 10 percent of commercial loans and an even smaller share of equity investment. Challenges are amplified for green and innovative businesses, which require targeted support due to their essential contributions to climate adaptation, sustainable job creation, and green economic transformation. Programme Components The programme is structured around three core components that address systemic barriers preventing women-led businesses from scaling: Track 1: Investment Readiness This track focuses on helping early-stage women-led enterprises strengthen their foundations. It offers: Tailored advisory services Business structuring and formalisation support Preparation for future fundraising Enhanced management and governance systems Track 2: Access to Debt This component aims to facilitate first-time access to credit by providing: A dedicated loan guarantee mechanism Loans averaging €22,000 Technical assistance to guide repayment, financial planning, and growth The combination of debt support and capacity-building allows entrepreneurs to build credit history while growing their businesses. Track 3: Access to Capital This track provides flexible financing to support business expansion, including: Reimbursable loans averaging €52,000 Zero interest and no collateral requirements Tailored technical assistance to prepare women entrepreneurs for later-stage equity investments Implementation Consortium The programme is implemented by a consortium of impact-driven organisations within the I&P ecosystem: Comoé Capital (Côte d’Ivoire): Oversees work in Togo Fako Capital (Cameroon): Supports women-led SMEs in Cameroon Teranga Capital (Senegal): Leads implementation in Senegal In Uganda, the pilot guaranteed loan scheme is delivered through: Finance Trust Bank (FTB): A financial institution specialising in supporting women entrepreneurs This multi-country approach ensures that local expertise and market understanding guide programme delivery. Programme Partners The IYBA WE4A initiative is a partnership between: The European Union (EU) The Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) It is implemented by GIZ through the “Promotion of Women’s Employment for Green Transformation in Africa” (WE4D) programme and forms part of the Team Europe Initiative “Investing in Young Businesses in Africa.” The Team The programme is managed by a team across the I&P network, including: Barbara Adolehoume – Program Manager, I&P Acceleration Laura-Jeanne Amoi – ESG & Impact Officer Manon Calmeil – Operations Manager, I&P Ecosystems Raphaël Dumont – Investment Director Acceleration; Director, I&P Acceleration in Sahel VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram , WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and Telegram Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the seeking organization. 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