The KPMG 2026 Competition for Female Founders in Africa
The 2026 KPMG Female Founders in Africa Competition is now open for applications from ambitious and forward-thinking women entrepreneurs across the continent. In today’s rapidly changing global landscape, the programme seeks resilient, women-owned and women-led ventures operating across diverse sectors such as technology, healthcare, agriculture, and more.
The competition is designed to strengthen and elevate women-led businesses by providing critical support, access to valuable resources, and strategic networking opportunities—equipping founders to navigate uncertainty and scale sustainably.
If you are a female entrepreneur with an innovative business model and a strong commitment to creating meaningful impact in your community, this is your opportunity to step forward. Apply to participate in this year’s competition and advance your entrepreneurial journey with confidence and resilience.
Benefits of the KPMG Competition for Female Founders in Africa
- Participation in the KPMG mentorship programme.
- Exposure to potential investor deal opportunities.
- Enhanced brand visibility and market recognition for your startup.
- Access to exclusive community engagement and networking platforms.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
- Be a legally registered company in the country or region where the national/regional final is taking place.
- Be female-owned.
- Have been in active operation for a minimum of one year.
- Operate as a tech-enabled, tech-driven, or tech-led business.
- Not be majority-owned by a large corporate entity.
- Be able to deliver all pitches in English.
- Be available to pitch at the country or regional semi-final and final within the stipulated timeline (where applicable).
- If selected as a finalist, be available to pitch at the 2026 Grand Finals.
Selection Process
The competition follows a structured process:
- Call for applications.
- Submission of required supporting information and documentation.
- Shortlisting by an expert panel, with selected teams invited to pitch. (Organisers may reassign applicants to an online “other countries” category where necessary.)
- Regional pitching before a jury panel of investors, followed by the announcement of regional winners.
- Final pitching round among regional winners, culminating in the selection of the “Best Female Founder” across early-stage, growth-stage, and mature ventures.
Fot further information and inquiries kindly visit https://kpmg.com/ke/en/insights/2026/01/2026-kpmg-female-founders-in-africa-competition.html
