Empowering Women in Business
At PAWEN, we realize the pivotal role entrepreneurship plays in Africa’s development. Our She Trades programs empower and equip aspiring and experienced WSMEs with strategies, skills and the support to thrive in business.
Aspiring Entrepreneurs Programs (AEP)
The Aspiring Entrepreneurs Program (AEP) is a free and intensive six-module program where participants receive hands-on knowledge and coaching on the nitty-gritty of growing sustainable businesses. The program is not accepting applications at this time, but you can join the waitlist to be the first to know when we open applications for the next cohort.
Girlpreneur Africa Program (GAP)
The Girlpreneur Africa Program (GAP) is a free and transformative, 12-week program tailored for African female students in higher education institutions This program dives deep into the essence of entrepreneurship, guiding participants through a comprehensive exploration of how to turn innovative ideas into profitable businesses. With a strong emphasis on practical knowledge and mentorship, GAP aims to nurture the next generation of female leaders and innovators, providing them with the tools, confidence, and network needed to navigate the entrepreneurial landscape successfully.
The program runs in two phases:
Learning Phase
From Entrepreneurial mindset to Funding your business, Dive deep into the world of entrepreneurship with our intensive curriculum. Learn the essentials of Identifying a profitable business, Launching and growing a business successfully to lay a solid foundation for your entrepreneurial journey.
Business Pitch
Top performers from each participating country will advance to the Business Pitch Competition. This is your moment to shine and demonstrate the viability and innovation of your business idea.
The Girlpreneur Africa program is a transformative journey, taking you from a learner to leader. Through each phase, you’ll gain invaluable skills, connections, and opportunities to ensure that when you’re ready to launch your business, you’ll do so with a solid foundation and the support of ladies like you across the world in the PAWEN community.
ScaleUp Africa Project
Scale Up Africa Project is a transformative program that aims to equip women-led SMEs with the requisite Competence, Confidence, Capital, and Connections for sustainable growth and development. Participating entrepreneurs will get access to capacity development, Digital enablement services to unlock a wider market access, infrastructure grant to scale their businesses and direct access to capital providers. This project is for WSMEs who have ambitious goals for their businesses and need to boost their capacity and capital to scale operations.
This multifaceted approach is carefully tailored to provide empowerment through four Pillars:
Capacity Development
Engage in comprehensive capacity development programs designed to enhance your business acumen and operational efficiency, preparing you for scalable growth.
Confidence Building
Benefit from mentorship sessions led by successful women entrepreneurs who’ve accessed substantial funding to grow their businesses. These sessions are tailored to instill confidence and provide you with the insights needed to navigate the challenges of business expansion and working with financial institutions
Capital Access
Gain direct access to a variety of funding options including debt, equity, and grants. We connect you with the right capital providers to fuel your business growth.
Connections
Expand your business with access to key stakeholders within the business ecosystem across Africa, as well as peer networks across local and international markets. These connections are invaluable for sharing experiences, forging partnerships, and opening new market opportunities.
Ready to Scale Your Business?
The Scale Up Africa Project will officially open for applications in 2024, but the journey starts now. Join our waitlist to ensure you’re among the first to know when we launch.