IFC has unveiled the names of 100 women entrepreneurs selected for the She Wins Africa program, an initiative designed to boost access to funding for women-led startups throughout Sub-Saharan Africa.
As part of the World Bank Group, IFC stands as the premier international development organization dedicated to the private sector in emerging markets. Launched during the Africa CEO Forum in Ivory Coast in 2023, She Wins Africa reflects IFC’s wider commitment to advancing gender equality and supporting women entrepreneurs in these markets.
It’s time for investors to step up and fund women. A strong entrepreneurship ecosystem benefits us all.
Nathalie Akon Gabala, the IFC’s Director of Gender and Economic Inclusion
She Wins Africa Initiative
Out of nearly 3,000 applicants, 100 women were chosen for this program. They will benefit from comprehensive support aimed at enhancing their companies’ readiness for investment. This includes personalized advice and mentorship, as well as opportunities to connect with potential investors, industry leaders, and fellow entrepreneurs through matchmaking and pitching events across the continent.
Beyond the investment readiness program for the selected 100 participants, She Wins Africa is set to introduce additional support mechanisms. These include a bootcamp designed to transition 200 pre-seed, women-led startups to the acceleration phase, a push to provide acceleration support to another 200 women-led startups in regions lacking such resources, and the establishment of a coalition comprising funds, venture capital firms, and gender-lens investors to facilitate better access to financing for African women and their businesses.
Nathalie Akon Gabala, the IFC’s Director of Gender and Economic Inclusion, highlighted the program’s role in empowering female entrepreneurs with the necessary coaching, training, and financial support to accelerate their growth and prepare them for investment across Sub-Saharan Africa. She emphasized the importance of investor involvement, noting, “It’s time for investors to step up and fund women. A strong entrepreneurship ecosystem benefits us all.”
