JAMII FEMMES African Women Entrepreneurs for Sustainable Impact
In 2022, Women In Africa and The Coca-Cola Foundation join forces to support 20,000 African women entrepreneurs over the next three years through the “JAMII Femmes” initiative.
“We chose the name JAMII, a Swahili word meaning community, society, people, because it represents who we are as Africans and reflects our values as an organisation: our resilience, commitment and community spirit.” – The Coca-Cola Foundation.
The JAMII Femmes initiative aims to increase the impact of African women entrepreneurs on the African economy and support the creation of innovative solutions for sustainable development that will contribute to positive change in Africa by improving the quality of life of tens of thousands of people.
Course of the programme
For this first year, the Coca-Cola Foundation and Women In Africa are offering a multi-phase programme to 7,000 women from three countries.
The first phase is a 4-month digital training phase, conducted by WIA’s partner, Honoris United Universities, Africa’s first and largest network of private higher education institutions, which will enable them to develop skills in:
- behavioural intelligence,
- critical thinking,
- creativity and design thinking,
- communication, collaboration,
- entrepreneurship.
In the second phase, selected beneficiaries will have access to grants.
Finally, in the third phase, selected beneficiaries will be able to participate in an accelerator programme, after which a special prize of USD 10,000 will be awarded per country.
Call for applications open for the 2nd cohort!
Selection criteria:
- Women over 18 years old
- Nationals * or residents of Nigeria, Kenya or Ivory Coast
- Entrepreneur
- Mainly in the Agriculture sector and/or in relation to the sustainable development objectives defined by UNESCO
More than 9,500 applications received for the 1st cohort.
3,000 women entrepreneurs selected as participants of the 1st cohort named “Women change makers” launched in October 2022 on the occasion of launch events in Nigeria, Kenya and Côte d’Ivoire.
Nigeria
Kenya
Côte d’Ivoire
Participants of the 1st cohort benefit from a training programme on entrepreneurship, social and personal skills conducted by Honoris United Universities. They also had the opportunity to expand their network by joining WIA Social, an exclusive social network.
JOIN THE SECOND COHORT!
*Please note that the applicant’s business or project must have a direct impact on the African continent. The candidate must be able to be present in the country of selection if she is selected for the acceleration phase, in case she does not reside there.
The 3 pillars of the programme in 2022
Access to education
7,000 women entrepreneurs will benefit from a digital programme on entrepreneurship and social and personal skills. The sessions, led by WIA’s knowledge partner and Africa’s first and largest network of private higher education institutions, Honoris United Universities, will provide women with a comprehensive approach to developing creative ideas, as well as knowledge on leadership and management skills.
With the accelerator programme, 70 women entrepreneurs from 3 countries will benefit from coaching and an in-depth support programme.
Access to finance
600 women entrepreneurs will receive grants to support their business development and improve their impact on communities.
At the end of the programme, one laureate per country will receive a prize of $10,000 to support her project.
Network access and visibility
The programme will give participants a lifetime access to the WIA network, and thus, to potential collaborators throughout Africa.
WIA will create an Advisory Council for each country, composed of local personalities who will accompany the programme. Therefore, women entrepreneurs will be able to be in contact with these prominent personalities.
They will be highlighted on WIA’s social media throughout the programme.
