More than 1,000 women entrepreneurs from eight African countries, including Uganda, are set to benefit from the Women Entrepreneurship for Africa (IYBA–WE4A) programme — a $5.25 million initiative designed to strengthen women-led green businesses and promote sustainable growth across the continent.
Under the programme, 1,049 selected women will each receive a $5,000 grant (about Shs17.5 million), as well as training, mentorship, and business development support to help grow their enterprises.
The WE4A initiative was launched by the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) in partnership with the European Union (EU) and the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS). It is being implemented in Uganda, Kenya, Mozambique, Tanzania, Malawi, Senegal, Cameroon, and Togo.
Speaking during a workshop at Protea Hotel, Kampala, Sola Ogunbiyi, Partnerships Officer at the Tony Elumelu Foundation, said the programme is part of the foundation’s mission to build a stronger, self-reliant Africa through entrepreneurship.
“The Tony Elumelu Foundation is the leading philanthropic organisation supporting entrepreneurs across all 54 African countries,” she said. “Our chairman, Tony Elumelu, believes that Africans can change Africa. That’s why we invest in entrepreneurs who create African solutions to African problems.”
Ogunbiyi noted that since 2015, TEF has trained over 2.5 million Africans and provided direct funding to 24,000 entrepreneurs, including 1,176 Ugandans.
The WE4A programme is co-financed by the EU, OACPS, and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). It is implemented by GIZ under the BMZ-funded Employment Promotion for Women for the Green Transformation in Africa (We4D) project.
Ogunbiyi explained that the programme targets women at all stages of business — from idea stage to early growth — provided their ventures contribute to environmental sustainability.
“Whether you’re just starting or already running a business, you can apply,” she said. “Selected participants will receive funding, mentorship, and training to scale their enterprises. The green sector is growing rapidly, and we want women to lead the change.”
Applications are open from October 6, 2025, to January 25, 2026, through www.tefconnect.com
Faith Kwera, President of TEF Uganda and a 2019 alumna, described the programme as life-changing.
“This initiative has helped women grow their businesses, feed their families, and gain financial independence. That’s the essence of Africapitalism — the vision championed by Tony Elumelu,” she said.
Past beneficiaries have also shared success stories. Jane Francis Awuma, founder of Shanoja Investment Limited, which produces animal feeds, said the grant helped her expand operations.
“The funding allowed me to hire more staff and purchase a crusher machine to process organic waste mechanically,” she said. “My advice to women is — don’t despise small beginnings. TEF can turn your dream into reality.”
United Bank for Africa (UBA) Uganda, a partner institution to the Tony Elumelu Foundation, urged Ugandan women to seize the opportunity.
“The WE4A programme gives women access to capital, mentorship, and business support needed to build sustainable enterprises,” said Hoziana Niyonsaba-Semanda, UBA Uganda’s Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications.
So far, over 1,176 Ugandan entrepreneurs have benefited from previous TEF initiatives, and many more are eagerly awaiting this new round of funding. Some local women have called for quicker disbursement of funds to meet their growing business needs.
