African Development Bank (AfDB) Call for Proposals for Enhancing Women Entrepreneurship Enablers for Stronger Women SMES in Africa
Are you an African woman? Do you belong, own or run Women’s business associations, incubator programs, accelerator programs, or cooperatives? Would you like to get funds to empower more women in your community? Are you interested in funding opportunities for African women-owned businesses?
If your answer is yes to any of the above questions, then this is your opportunity to get empowered or help others to get empowered as the African Development Bank (AfDB) calls for Proposals for Funding to Support Women Entrepreneurs in Africa.
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Facts About the African Development Bank (AfDB) Call for Proposals for Funding to Support Women Entrepreneurs in Africa
This May, the African Development Bank Group launched a proposal to solicit proposals to improve the feasibility and sustainability of women’s entrepreneurial capabilities.
Entrepreneurship promoters, including business associations and civil society organizations, play an important role in empowering women to establish bankable small and medium-sized enterprises and other enterprises. However, the enablers themselves often face challenges, such as long-term growth plans and lack of funding, which will reduce their reach, impact, and sustainability.
“Women business enablers are critical to creating a viable enabling environment in which women entrepreneurs can grow and create businesses that generate jobs for the continent. Through the Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa initiative, the Bank is committed to supporting enablers to strengthen the business and financial skills as well as wealth-creating capacity of their members,” said Esther Dassanou, manager of the program, also known as AFAWA
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Who is Eligible to Apply?
- Women’s business associations,
- Incubators,
- Accelerators, and
- cooperatives that advance women’s entrepreneurship, can apply for funding for innovative projects or programs to bolster the skills of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) owned and run by women across Africa.
Procedures Before Fund DisbursementÂ
The Bank will assess applicants’ track record in supporting women SMEs, innovation, and strong development impact, as well as their capacity to mobilize other sources of funding.
How Much Funding Is Available?
Eligible organizations may request funding of between $100,000 and $250,000, provided through the Bank’s Gender Equality Trust Fund.
Funding Principles and Criteria for AfDB Call for Proposals for Enhancing Women Entrepreneurship Enablers for Stronger Women SMES in Africa
i. The project duration should not exceed 2 (two) years for national projects and 3 (three)
years for regional projects;
ii. Proposal should strive to wherever possible align with national or regional priorities on
access to financial services/financial inclusion for WSMEs;
iii. Recipients and project sponsors should be Africa-based or provide evidence of
partnership with African entities and show that the proposed activities, operations, and
projects will be implemented in Africa.
iv. While not an eligibility requirement, particular attention will be paid to potential
projects which benefit two or more countries and regions as this will strengthen regional integration and maximize the impact of resources. Due account will also be
taken of the economic and social development plans of regional member countries;
v. Applicants must be legally constituted institutions that have been in existence for at
least three years
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Eligible African Countries
All countries will be considered, but proposals from the following countries that are already aligned with the ongoing AFAWA Guarantee for Growth Program pipeline are strongly encouraged to apply:
- Cameroon,
- Congo-Brazzaville,
- The Democratic Republic of Congo,
- Gabon,
- Kenya,
- Lesotho,
- Madagascar,
- Malawi,
- Morocco,
- Mozambique,
- Senegal,
- South Africa,
- Tanzania,
- Rwanda and
- Zambia.
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How to Apply for AfDB Call for Proposals for Enhancing Women Entrepreneurship Enablers for Stronger Women SMES in Africa
Interested and eligible candidates should submit their proposal (Not more than 10 pages) either in English or French using this template via email to the following e-mail address: Benard Chitunga: [email protected] Senior Officer- Partnerships, Donors and Special Projects, AFAWA and copy Esther Dassanou : [email protected]. Manager, AFAWA.
Submitted proposals will
i. Demonstrate innovative approaches to build a supportive ecosystem for women’s
entrepreneurship aimed at improving access to finance for WSMEs;
ii. Develop innovative ways to disseminate advisory services addressing capacity constraints,
skills enhancement, and digital presences for WSMEs;
iii. Enhance visibility and access to mentorship and role models for WSMEs.
Through the proposed interventions, the enablers must demonstrate increased access to finance, skills and mentorship. The Bank seeks proposals that demonstrate the following themes:
i. Track record in supporting women SMEs;
ii. Innovation and strong development impact;
iii. Mobilization of additional funding;
iv. Partnership with both public and private sectors;
v. Additionality and value for money;
vi. Long term plan and sustainability;
vii. Collaboration between two or several applicant enablers.
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