African Women Entrepreneurship Cooperative 2020

A 12-month program for women entrepreneurs from across Africa and diaspora

African Women Entrepreneurship Cooperative accepting applications for next cohort

WHAT

The African Women Entrepreneurship Cooperative (AWEC) is accepting online applications until 17 December 2019 for its third cohort. AWEC is a 12-month, high-touch leadership and management capacity building program. Its mission is to empower women from across Africa and the diaspora with the knowledge and network needed to build resilient and scalable businesses.

For a one-year period, 200 cohort members are guided through an intensive applied and collaborative learning model that blends online and offline experiences. In addition to learning practical skills from CEOs and business school professors, they are paired with business mentors and create a lasting network of 200 women entrepreneurs from across the continent who become their supporters, champions, and cheerleaders.

AWEC’s unique blended learning experience has had proven results, including:

75% of participants reported increased revenue, with an average annual increase of $9,211

69% of participants improved their business strategy and 66% increased their business management expertise

61% of participants increased their leadership experience, positioning themselves to be leaders in their communities

Thanks to generous donations from international organizations and individuals, AWEC is able to offer this transformational program at little to no cost to participants.

WHY

African women create businesses at a faster rate than anywhere else in the world. They have the passion, drive, and fortitude to change their country’s economy, but many face educational, economic and societal barriers that stand in the way of their success. AWEC was created to enable access to leadership and business management learning, combined with mentorship and a pan-African peer network.

WHEN

Applications are open from 12:00am UTC on 4 December 2019 until 11:59pm UTC on 17 December 2019. No late applications will be accepted.

WHO

AWEC is open to African female founders running a business in any industry, as well as aspiring African female entrepreneurs who have a well-developed and innovative business idea. Women who meet the following criteria are encouraged to apply:

Current or aspiring African women entrepreneurs working in any industry
Citizens of any African country, currently living on the continent or in the diaspora
Founders of for-profit or non-profit/NGO ventures
Prepared to commit to an intensive program requiring 4-6 hours per week for 12 months
Comfortable with remote teamwork and collaboration, especially using digital tools
Proficient in verbal and written English
Regular (at least weekly) access to the Internet through a computer or tablet

About the African Women Entrepreneurship Cooperative

The African Women Entrepreneurship Cooperative (AWEC) is a 12-month, high-touch leadership and management capacity building program. Its mission is to empower women from across Africa and the diaspora with the knowledge and network needed to build resilient and scalable businesses. AWEC is a donor-supported program operated through the Center for Global Enterprise (CGE). www.thecge.net/awec

About the Center for Global Enterprise

The Center for Global Enterprise (CGE) is a nonprofit and nonpartisan research institute focused on developing insights that help current and future business leaders build resilient enterprises. CGE designs and manages programs that enable individuals from around the world to have more equal access to advanced business and management knowledge. www.thecge.net