The Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) has announced a strategic partnership with the African Guarantee Fund (AGF) and FSDH Merchant Bank Limited to launch applications for its flagship AWIEF Growth Accelerator Programme. This initiative is designed to enhance access to finance and markets for women-owned and women-led small and medium enterprises (WSMEs) in Nigeria.
AWIEF is a pan-African organization committed to empowering women economically by addressing gender disparities and fostering business leadership and entrepreneurship throughout the continent. The Growth Accelerator Programme is a key component of this mission, aiming to support the growth and sustainability of WSMEs by providing them with the necessary resources and opportunities.
This programme is aligned with the African Development Bank’s Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA) initiative, which seeks to unlock up to US$3 billion in financing specifically for WSMEs across Africa. The AFAWA initiative is focused on creating an enabling environment for women entrepreneurs, facilitating access to financial services, and promoting gender equality in business.
In this collaborative effort, AGF, a prominent non-bank financial institution dedicated to promoting economic development, increasing employment, and reducing poverty in Africa, will serve as the implementing partner for the AFAWA initiative. Meanwhile, FSDH Merchant Bank Limited will play a crucial role by providing loans to WSMEs in Nigeria, ensuring that these enterprises have the financial support they need to thrive.
The partnership between AWIEF, AGF, and FSDH Merchant Bank Limited aims to significantly improve access to finance for WSMEs that are driving innovative solutions across various catalytic sectors in Nigeria. By empowering these businesses, the initiative seeks to foster economic growth, create jobs, and contribute to the overall development of the Nigerian economy, while also promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment in the entrepreneurial landscape.
Applications are open here until March 31.
