If you are a female, running a business in any of the fifteen (15) countries that make up the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), then you should consider applying to the second edition of the ShEquity Business accelerator programme (SHEBA). The maiden edition was launched in March 2021 with
The programme is a 16-week long business accelerator programme that aims to bridge the gender funding gap and will help women-led businesses grow their businesses and become investment-ready. This will be done through the provision of technical support and venture building to African female entrepreneurs in the ECOWAS region.
The program is targeting female entrepreneurs with high-impact and scalable ideas across the following sectors;
- Agri-business value chain aspects (production, processing etc)
- Agtech
- Fintech
- Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG)
- Healthcare
- Renewable energy
- Wholesale and Retail
The acceleration program is an annual program that will select and build the capacity of 30 female entrepreneurs in the following areas; business development, branding and marketing, financial management, governance structure, human resource management, leadership, and personal development. Additionally, SHEBA is expected to serve as an investment funnel for the ShEquity West Africa VC fund set up in Accra, Ghana. If successful, select graduates of the accelerator program women will not only boast of new business models and innovation mindset, they will be recommended to the ShEquity team for seed investments of between US$50,000 to US$250,000.
In partnership with the Mobile Business Clinic (MBC) Africa – an organization that addresses constraints affecting the growth of West African agribusinesses, SHEBA is not only seeking to de-risk African female-led businesses but also connect successful female entrepreneurs to other investors within the ShEquity network.
SHEBA Program Structure
- Pre acceleration (Investment readiness)
- 16 Weeks acceleration program
- Pitching
- Graduation
Application Guidelines
Interested applicants have been advised to adhere to the following application criteria:
- The business should be based in the ECOWAS region.
- The business should have been operational for a minimum of 24 months
- The businesses should be 51% female-owned.
- Applicants should be ready to commit to a six (6) month-long program
- Be willing to sign the SHEBA agreement.
Click here to apply for the program. The application deadline is 6th May 2022.
