WIA 54 Project

Women are the driving force of African economies, and will positively change the future of the continent. The start-up created by these African women address to issues of state responsibility and tackle structural challenges (electrification of the continent, medical coverage, education).
Supporting them in their desire to undertake and promoting them is a win-win and sustainable investment for African and international economies.

The WIA Philanthropy Foundation has initiated the WIA 54 project, for African women entrepreneurs with a strong potential to shape the Africa of tomorrow. Each year, the WIA 54 Award recognizes 54 women entrepreneurs from each of the 54 African countries.

Benefits for the 54 selected entrepreneurs

• Invitation to the International Annual Summit WIA in Marrakesh (June 27/28 2019): reimbursement of travel, accommodation.
  • Unique visibility: Unique visibility from 500 delegates, including investors, top executives and media from all over the world
  • High-level Networking: Business meetings organized during the WIA Club Annual Meeting in Marrakech
• Bootcamp: Access to a 2-days training bootcamp prior to the summit.
• Annual membership to the WIA Club offered, first international women entrepreneurs club on the continent:
  • visibility on Women in Africa print and web supports including website, WIA Mag, social media.
  • Special access to the WIA Link digital platform in order to exchange with each other and with an international top executive, and MOOC training access: how to pitch, hox to speach, business opportunities… (in progress)
  • Regional and Local meetings of entrepreneurs all year long with the WIA Hubs
• Mentoring: Mentoring for 1 year from large companies (depending on the fundings and sponsors)
• Scholarships: Scholarships offered available on one of our partner’s 48 campuses or via e-learning, provided that you pass the admission exams

Selection Criteria

We will select the most innovative and high- growth potential companies or initiatives with already proven traction :

• Innovative product, service or technology and/ or a strong human impact.
• Created or managed by an African woman citizen.
• With first traction on the market (turnover, number of users, raised funds…).
• Proven business model, scalability.
• Large growth potential (in own country, Africa and globally).
• Ambitious team with deep execution skills.

Award Ceremony

A renowned international jury will meet at the end of April to select the winners from the 54 preselected entrepreneurs. In view of the major issues identified by the World Bank for the Africa of tomorrow, 9 sectors have been selected:

• Education
• Health
• Agriculture and food industry
• Fintech
• Digital and Technology
• Climate and sustainable development
• Creative industries
• Beauty industries