The program will focus on women proposing innovative solutions for sustainable development.
On March 29, 2022, Women in Africa announced the launch of "JAMII Femmes," a program aimed at strengthening the impact of 20,000 women entrepreneurs from 10 African countries. Over three years, participants will receive support in the form of online training, networking, mentoring, and local boot camps. The program seeks innovative solutions to bring about positive change in Africa by improving the quality of life for thousands of people.
"Our goal is to give African women access to the resources and champions that can put them on the path to success," said Hafsat Abiola, President of Women In Africa. "This program will impact 20,000 people and indirectly impact more than 60,000 people. Opening the doors to success for them is key to Africa's growth."
According to Patricia Obozuwa, Vice President Africa for Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability at Coca-Cola, "The initiative will stimulate business creation opportunities by improving access to professional training, networks, financing, and markets."
In its first year, the program aims to support women entrepreneurs based in three countries: Côte d'Ivoire, Kenya, and Nigeria. The call for applications was launched on Thursday, March 31, 2022, in Côte d'Ivoire and Nigeria on the WIA website, and will open in April in Kenya.
In a country like Côte d'Ivoire, where 26.3% of businesses have at least one female shareholder, the need for training, financing, and support is a reality. As the figures from the CI PME Agency's SME Services Desk show, there is a strong and growing demand from women for training. In 2019, the service received 33% of women entrepreneurs and project idea generators. Their requests concerned technical and managerial capacity building (39%), financing and entrepreneurship advice (17%), and general information (19%).
To address this challenge across the African continent, 7,000 women entrepreneurs with high impact potential will be selected in three countries, including Côte d'Ivoire, to participate in an online training program from August to November 2022. These sessions, led by Honoris United Universities, WIA's partner and Africa's first and largest network of private higher education institutions, will enable women to adopt a reasoned approach to developing creative ideas and acquire leadership and management skills.
Among these women, more than 600 entrepreneurs will receive grants to support the development of their businesses and increase their impact on communities. In January 2023, 70 selected beneficiaries will benefit from a two-week acceleration program. They will receive a comprehensive package of support measures as well as mentoring sessions with experts. At the end of the program, one winner from each country will receive a $10,000 prize to support her project. By addressing the key challenges faced by women entrepreneurs in Africa on such a large scale, this program will have a real impact on the continent.
For more than a decade, The Coca-Cola Foundation has supported programs around the world that empower women. "We are committed to preparing women for professional-level jobs or to start and grow their own businesses," said Saadia Madsbjerg, President of The Coca-Cola Foundation. "The JAMII Femmes initiative will have a profound impact across the African continent by supporting women through education, financial literacy, entrepreneurial training, and mentoring. It addresses the known barriers that prevent women entrepreneurs from succeeding in the marketplace."
Source: press release