The new programme was unveiled for the first time during the AWIEF 2020 International Women’s Day event on Monday, March 9, 2020, in Lagos, Nigeria.

Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) has partnered with Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Morocco (UM6P), a world-class institution that puts research, innovation and entrepreneurship at the service of the development of the African continent, to launch LeadTech Incubation Programme.

Despite Africa being one of the fastest-growing technology markets in the world, women’s participation in the technology sector remains considerably low.

LeadTech is a continental programme to support early-stage African women-led digital startups with tools needed for their growth and success.

Sharing the belief that entrepreneurship and women’s leadership are key drivers in transforming Africa, the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) through its entity P-Curiosity Lab, in partnership with AWIEF, will support 15 African young female entrepreneurs as part of the 2020 LeadTech cohort.

Irene Ochem, Founder and CEO of AWIEF, said “We are extremely excited and proud to work with UM6P to map the path for women empowerment in the technology sector in Africa.

With LeadTech, we will build a pan-African network of female tech leaders who will serve as role models and demystify the notion that women are not as capable for leadership in technology”.

Lamia Housni, Head of P-Curiosity Lab at UM6P said, “LeadTech programme is designed, in partnership with AWIEF, to strengthen African women’s presence in the technology sector by selecting and incubating promising and innovative tech startups in Education, Healthcare, Finance, Environment, and Biotechnology”.

Housni further noted, “The launch of this programme comes at a particular moment when our African citizens are having to change their habits and isolate themselves to reduce the spread of the global pandemic coronavirus disease, COVID-19.

LeadTech programme becomes more than ever necessary for the development of our continent since it places digital as a solution to deliver services to our communities, essential to their socio-economic inclusion, environmental health, and sustainability of their activities.”

With LeadTech, we will build a pan-African network of female tech leaders who will serve as role models and demystify the notion that women are not as capable for leadership

What LeadTech Offers Participants

• Tailored training and capacity building3 weeks residency at UM6P in MoroccoSpace and infrastructure (Living Labs, Digital Lab, Data Center, Prototyping Labs)
• World-class mentors and experts to work with you5 months virtual incubationVenture showcase at AWIEF 2020.

Eligibility Criteria

• This programme is open to early-stage female digital startup leaders who are 18 years of age or older and residing in any African country.
• You have an innovative, scalable offer that integrates digital technologies into the process.
• You are passionate, committed, and have the capacity to engage fully in the programme.

To apply for LeadTech, please follow this link.

Application closes on Friday, April 24,  2020.

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In line with its mission to give people the power to build community around the world and its commitment to supporting the community leaders who drive change, Facebook is announcing the launch of the Community Accelerator programme which will be available in the following countries: South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria.

An evolution of the Facebook Community Leadership Programme (FCLP), this six-month accelerator programme provides training, mentorship and funding to help community leaders grow their communities.

Selected community leaders will spend three months learning from experts, coaches and a customised curriculum to create a plan to grow their communities.

They will spend the next three months iterating and executing on their plans, with funding and support from their networks.

Kiran Yoliswa, Strategic Partner Manager, Communities SSA at Facebook said, “Our mission is to empower the leaders who foster community – people who offer support, encourage others and make real change,”

“We are investing in leaders because we believe and know they make significant contributions to today’s social challenges, by sharing knowledge and information, and helping people to connect with others that share same interests or passions for a good cause.”

In 2019 the Facebook Community Leadership Programme provided training, funding, and support to 115 community leaders.

The leaders reported that their projects impacted over 1.9 million lives through online community support, the use of helpful resources and other activities made possible by the programme.

The 12 community leaders from Sub – Saharan Africa said their projects impacted over 80,000 lives. They included:

• Anike Lawal, Mamalette (Nigeria)
• Noah Kadima Nasiali, Africa Farmers Club (Kenya)
• Felista Wangari, 52-Week Savings Challenge (Kenya)
• Pamellah Oduor, Let’s Cook Kenyan Meals (Kenya)
• Asha Mweru, #WomenWorkKE (Kenya)
• Caroline Kihusa, Still A Mum (Kenya)
• Truphosah Monah, Women And Realities of Disability Society (Kenya)
• Mamadou Sy, Docteur Nakamou (Senegal)
• Gabriel Hoosain Khan LGBTI community, Human Rights (South Africa)
• Lusanda Magwape, Dream Factory Foundation (South Africa)
• Nadine Maselesele, Salt River High Tutoring (South Africa)
• Savio Lule Mark, The Youth Hub Uganda (Uganda)

Facebook also announced that it has built new tools to help community leaders add new members and moderate conversations in their Groups.

The improved membership management tool improves how Group admins can manage new member requests, and content moderation features make it easier for admins to see important posts and find specific content.

The Community Accelerator programme is one of the many investments Facebook is making in community leaders.

The Facebook Community Learning Labs brings Group admins with similar goals together into a collaborative digital classroom for structured learning, a dedicated Facebook team with experience helps Group admins achieve their goals.

The Community Hub, meanwhile, is a place where anyone can access product education and learn more about Facebook’s programmes. It includes tips and tools for starting, managing and growing a community.

If you run an impactful, established community, ready to grow using Facebook’s apps and have the time and energy to invest in this programme, you can apply here before 10 April 2020 if you are 18 years and older.

Community leaders from the selected programme countries, including those without a presence on one of Facebook’s apps, are welcome to apply.

How to Apply

Applications are open to participants from Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa.

You can visit here to put up your application.

The deadline for registration is Friday, April 10, 2020, while the programme commences by June 2020.

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The ‘Tech By Her Accelerator’ Program is, giving support, to blooming female-led tech ventures, for them to be, globally, competitive and sustainable.

The program is, powered by MEST, plus support, from the Tech Entrepreneurship Initiative, ‘Make-IT in Africa’.

The aim of the ‘Tech By Her Accelerator’ program is, to help create a reliable female entrepreneurship community that spans across the whole of the African continent.

The program is, set to achieve this, through the mentoring of female founders and also, creating a network of alumni, among successful participants, in the ‘Tech By Her Accelerator’.

It will, also, address the common challenges encountered, by female tech founders. Ten female tech entrepreneurs will be selected, in the 3-month accelerator, from companies in Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya.

Benefits of participation

• Integrated training and coaching
• Access to Africa’s industry leaders and experts
• Supportive Community of top female entrepreneurs
• Invitation to the alumni network of successful female entrepreneurs
• An expansive network of tech experts
• All-expense paid, two Intensive Boot Camps in Accra, Ghana
• Virtual coaching and mentoring for 3 months
• Visibility and media publicity, for selected participants

Eligibility criteria for participants

• A female founder/co-founder of your organisation, available to participate, fully, in all aspects of the program
• An early-stage start-up that, has achieved commercialisation and monetisation phase
• Be technology-based, or, have technology, as the core enabler, of the business
• Have been operating for at least one, (1), year, before applying for this program, with a live product, or, service on the market
• Have the business registered, in any of Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya. Participants must be African
• Showing evidence of scalability from its revenue
• The business model, must be social impact-driven
• Must be ready, to organize, at least one event, in your community, with support from your local MEST office
• Be ready, as a founder, to be an ambassador, of the program and of tech entrepreneurship, encouraging and motivating other females, in the entrepreneurial space

How to apply

If you are a female tech founder and have satisfied the criteria mentioned above, you can go ahead to apply here. The deadline for applications is, Friday, March 13, 2020.

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Ecobank Fintech Challenge was designed in partnership with the advisory firm Konfidants and is supported by several partners across Africa and globally.

Ecobank Group, the pan-African banking group, is inviting African fintech entrepreneurs to enter the 3rd edition of the Ecobank Fintech Challenge.

The Fintech Challenge gives African start-ups the opportunity to promote their fintech solutions, and potentially partner with Ecobank to roll-out their solutions across Ecobank’s 33 markets in Africa as well as France.

Ecobank welcomes submissions from all start-ups and developers in any of Africa’s 54 countries to enter its 2020 Ecobank Fintech Challenge.

All Finalists will be inducted as Ecobank Fintech Fellows, participate in a business boot camp followed by an Awards and Innovation Fair at the headquarters of the Ecobank Goup in Lomé, Togo in June 2020.

Ecobank Group Executive, Operations & Technology, Eddy Ogbogu noted that “As a banking group we continue to be amazed at the many ways in which fintechs are transforming banking across Africa. We look forward to the new innovations and partnership opportunities that will come with the 2020 edition.”

Fellows will qualify to explore the following opportunities including:

• Multinational product roll out: an opportunity to pursue integration with Ecobank and potentially launch products in Ecobank’s Pan African footprint.
• Service provider partnerships. Ecobank may select start-ups as a pan-African service partner within the bank’s ecosystem.
• Access to Ecobank’s Pan-African Banking Sandbox: Fellows will be given access to Ecobank’s APIs to test and improve their products for the pan-African market.
• Mentoring and networking support in the network of global and African partners of the Group.

Ecobank Senior Fintech Advisor, Djiba Diallo said “The Ecobank Fintech challenge and fellowship have been improved upon to create even additional value for Ecobank and the Fintechs.

We took feedback from the past editions and one of the major innovation this year is the opportunity for shortlisted Fintech’s to access our APIs through our Pan African Sandbox.”

Applications for the competition will close on Sunday, April 12, 2020. More information on the competition, benefits, and how to apply can be found here.

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Are you a young African Entrepreneur, aiming to build his, or, her small business, or, maybe you have created something that can benefit your immediate community? If you are, then, Anzisha prize is expecting your application.

Anzisha believes that, you could be a role model and inspiration, to the other young African entrepreneurs, given the right support.

The future of Africa, lies with the young generation and Anzisha, wants to celebrate your potentials, in growing and developing your country, through job creation.

Annually, 20 young African entrepreneurs are selected, for the Anzisha Prize Fellows.

The prize award is, arguably, the largest award for Africa’s youngest entrepreneurs, between the ages of 15 – 22.

A winning prize of USD $100,000 is, handed over, annually, to entrepreneurs, across the continent.

Eligibility for the Anzisha Prizes

• Your age range must be between 15 and 22 years old, with an ID document, or, Passport, to present as evidence.
• You must be a national of an African country, with an African-based business, serving African customers/beneficiaries.
• Your business must be running, with tangible results to share, before you apply.
• Anzisha prize welcomes any kind of venture from science and technology, down to sports.
• Applications from individuals, require that, he, or, she, must be, one of the founding members of a business.

Timeline of the event

• May 2020: Phone interviews and due diligence visit, with the semi-finalists and final selection
• July 2020: Announcement of the top 50 Finalists of the 2020 edition of the Anzisha Prize
• August 2020: Announcement of the top 20, 2020 Finalists
• October 2020: Anzisha Business Accelerator and Anzisha Prize Awards Forum.

How to Apply

If you have satisfied all the criteria mentioned above, you can go ahead to apply here. The deadline for applications is, Wednesday, April 1, 2020.

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Introducing the launch of the third edition of #Africa4Future, a joint accelerator program between Airbus’ global aerospace accelerator, BizLab and Make-IT in Africa, a programme by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit German (GIZ), the German agency for International Cooperation.

First launched in 2017, the #Africa4Future initiative was created by Airbus BizLab with the objective to encourage and support entrepreneurship in Africa.

Through #Africa4future, Airbus seeks to build bridges between the aerospace industry and the different players in Africa.

For this third edition, the accelerator is open to African start-ups, service providers, software companies that are actively working on solutions in Agriculture and infrastructure sectors that are related to remote-sensing technology.

This includes automation, blockchain, artificial intelligence, data analytics, material composites, manufacturing and more.

Infrastructure refers to transportation/logistics mapping, water monitoring, waste management, real estate, urban development and other related areas.

To foster and promote the inclusion of sustainable Industry innovation and infrastructure (SDG 9); and Food security, nutrition and agriculture (SDG 2); Airbus BizLab together with its partners will consolidate and make their resources available to the startups to support economic development across Africa (SDG 17).

The 3-month programme will include virtual coaching sessions, expert sessions with Airbus experts in Europe, connection to industry experts locally, access to Airbus technologies, 250,000 up42 credit, showcase events in Africa and Europe.

At the end of the programme, the startups (either standalone or as a consortium) will have the amazing opportunity to pitch a project to the leadership team at Airbus and GIZ for possible collaboration with both organizations.

The program is implemented by Co-Creation Hub (CcHUB), a Pan-African innovation center with a track record of accelerating the application of social capital and technology for economic prosperity.

CcHUB will provide strategic support and practical industry know-how to the startups to engage multiple stakeholders within their ecosystem and facilitate the connection with these global organisations.

Eligibility Criteria

Airbus BizLab & GIZ are looking for startups/solution providers/companies that:

• Create value in Agriculture and Infrastructure sectors
• Have the ability to leverage remote sensing technologies
• Been running operations for at least 1 year
• Have an existing product with traction (customers and/or revenue)
• Have a strong management team
• Have experience leveraging partnerships to create impact

In addition to the above, companies must be registered in Africa and the founder must be a Citizen of any country on the continent.

The programme would be hosting information sessions in 5 countries namely:- Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Senegal and Morocco; If you are in any of these countries, we look forward to meeting with you.

Kindly register to attend and get updates here. Beyond learning more about the programme, these information sessions will also serve as an opportunity to learn more about some of Airbus’ technology and to network with other entrepreneurs with similar interests.

How To Apply

If you have satisfied the criteria mentioned above, you can go ahead to apply here. The deadline for application is Saturday, March 14, 2020.

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Innovative start-ups are, hereby, invited to apply, for the UNDP Cultiv@te, to tackle global challenges, in the agricultural sector.

This program is a new world innovation initiative, for viable agriculture.

Winners from this initiative will have the eligibility, to participate, in other related programs, in workshops and global conferences, as well as, having a partnership, with country offices of the UNDP.

From the applications, 78 teams, would be selected. They will proceed to round two, after which names, of the successful applicants, will be announced, on Friday, February 14, 2020.

This year’s program is, organised around three main themes, which are:

Rainfed agriculture: Maximising productivity in agriculture, to meet the challenges, caused by climate change.

Livestock farming and aquaculture: Ensuring a safe and sustainable livestock farming and reducing the environmental impact, of current agricultural practices.

Urban agriculture: Leveraging innovative technologies, to re-assess and build a viable food production system, for the urban population.

Participants are expected to solve 13 challenge statements, focused on 13 countries, on the African continent.

In the second round, 78 participating teams, from the initial selection, will be reduced, to 52 that will be announced on Friday, March 13, 2020.

Participating teams would be judged, on five core areas, which are feasibility, innovation, impact, relevancy and clarity.

Benefits of the program

Cultiv@te programme participants will get:

• International exposure and opportunity, to get cultural intelligence, in an emerging market
• Will receive mentoring, from seasoned corporate and technology leaders, as well as, engagement, with influential policy and decision-makers
• Access to a specially, curated group of more than 25 solution clients and potential investors.
• In the race to win the prize money, which is, yet to be announced, as well as, thematic awards

How to apply

If you satisfy all the necessary criteria, go ahead to begin your application process here. The deadline for applications is, Friday, February 14, 2020.

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Digital Lab Africa, in Johannesburg has opened applications for its program.

The program, in its fourth edition, aims at lending support, to cultural and creative entrepreneurs, within the Sub-Saharan region, of Africa.

The program is managed, by Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct, a South African innovation hub, however, it is an initiative of the French Embassy and Institute, based in South Africa.

The application is open, to entrepreneurs, start-ups, producers, designers, students and artists, in the creative and cultural industry.

The accelerator must, however, be focused on five crucial categories, which include animation, digital art, immersive realities, music, and video games.

Each of these categories has its own unique criteria, for selection. You can check the complete criteria for each here.

Digital Lab Africa is seeking projects at the initial stage of development, with innovation, in terms of narration, content, or, technologies.

Benefits of participation

• Successful applicants that make it through, will have access to training sessions and mentorship.
• Hosted in France and an opportunity to participate in industry events, such as Paris Games Week, or, Les Nuits Sonores, Annecy Animation festival and Newimages.

“While the need for quality content remains paramount, Digital Lab Africa, will focus on finding the most innovative creatives Africa has to offer. We are hoping that, this edition’s projects, will be innovative, in terms of form, storytelling, content and technologies used”, Lesley Donna Williams, CEO, Tshimologong Precinct stated.

How to apply

If you are based in the Sub-Saharan region of Africa and have satisfied all the required criteria, then, you can go ahead to apply here. The deadline for application is, Sunday, March 1, 2020.

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The role of women, as driving forces, in the economy, cannot be overemphasized, as their economic activities, have contributed positive changes, to the continent.

Start-ups established by women, on the African continent, have been known, to solve economic and structural challenges, ravaging the continent.

It would be a win-win situation, if these women are supported, to drive home more changes that would promote female-driven solutions, in Africa and beyond.

In view of this, the WIA Philanthropy Foundation, instituted the WIA 54 project, for African women entrepreneurs.

Annually, the WIA 54, recognises 54 African women entrepreneurs, from each of the 54 countries, on the continent.

Eligibility

Potential participants would be selected, based on:

• Having growth potential
• Scalable business model
• Team with in-depth execution skills
• Having the first traction on the market
• A business, managed by an African woman entrepreneur
• Service, or, product, must be innovative, with a strong impact

Benefits of the program

• Invitation to the WIA International Annual Summit, with reimbursement of travel, accommodation expenses
• Meeting potential investors and top executives, of large organisations
• Taking part, in high-level networking
• Access to a 2-day training boot camp, before the actual summit
• Visibility in prints and web support, through social media and access to the WIA digital platform
• Regional and Local meetings, of entrepreneurs, all year long, with the WIA Hubs
• One year mentorship from a big organization
• Scholarship offering

How to apply

If you are a female entrepreneur, from any African country and with an enterprise that, has satisfied the eligibility factors mentioned above, you can go ahead to apply here. The deadline for application is Saturday, February 14, 2020.

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The AnitaB.org Systers Pass It On Awards Program has opened its applications, for entries, across the continent.

The award is, set to honour Anita Borg’s desire, to establish a network of women technologists, who can render help, to one another.

The cash awards will encourage women, who are into computing, or, any project that, can inspire and give support, to girls and women, venturing into the field of computing.

The whole aim of the program is, to “pass on” the gains benefitted, from the award, which in the long run, would create a movement that assists women, in supporting their fellow women.

Generous donations, from the Systers, (Online community, established by Anita Borg, in the late 1980s)
$1,000 USD is, up for grabs, for this awards program.

Criteria for selection

• It is open to any woman, irrespective of the country, provided she is above 18.
• She must be aspiring, for a career, in the field of computing

The award program encourages applications, from a variety of projects including:

• A broader project that benefits girls and women
• Assistance with educational fees and materials
• Assistance with studies, job transfers, or, other transitions in life
• Mentoring and other supportive groups, for women in technology, or, computing
• Partial funding source, for larger scholarship
• A partial funding source for technical conferences
• Projects that seek to inspire more girls and women, to go into the computing field

How to apply

Eligible female candidates can go ahead to apply, via the AnitaB website. The deadline for application is Thursday, March 26, 2020.

Featured Image: AnitaB.org