Applications are open for the 2026 Accelerating African Female Founders to Capital Programme, an initiative powered by WomHub and supported by the AfricaGrow Technical Assistance Facility, KfW DEG Impact, and the BMZ. The programme is dedicated to ensuring that women-led businesses in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Manufacturing (STEM) are positioned for sustainable scaling. It is designed for women entrepreneurs with innovative, revenue-generating businesses that demonstrate strong potential for growth and impact. The program aims to strengthen business foundations, enhance growth potential, and prepare participants for investment through a combination of expert-led training, mentorship, technical assistance, business diagnostics, and investor engagement.
Program Structure
The programme is delivered in three progressive phases:
• Phase 1: Pipeline Development – Forty-five (45) women-led businesses will participate in a structured business development programme focused on strengthening business fundamentals, leadership, operations, financial management, sustainability, and growth readiness.
• Phase 2: Investor Readiness – The top twenty (20) businesses will advance to an intensive investment readiness programme covering financial preparedness, due diligence, investor engagement, and pitch refinement.
• Phase 3: Capital Deployment – Businesses that successfully complete the investor readiness journey and due diligence process will become eligible to pitch for catalytic funding, with between five (5) and ten (10) businesses receiving investment along with ongoing post-investment support.
Program Benefits
Participants in the programme will receive a range of benefits designed to foster growth and success:
• Access to a dynamic network of mentors, industry experts, ecosystem partners, and investors.
• Strengthened founder capabilities and improved investment readiness.
• Enabled access to capital and support for driving revenue growth.
• Opportunities to create quality jobs and accelerate innovation within the STEM ecosystem.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the following criteria to be considered for the programme:
• Must be a female founder.
• Must be from across Southern Africa, specifically from the following countries: Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, or Zimbabwe.
• The business must be investment ready.
• Must demonstrate a commitment to sustainability within their business operations.
Application Details
• Application Deadline: 18 August 2026 at 23:00pm.
• For Queries: Contact [email protected]
• For More Information: Visit the Official Webpage of the Accelerating African Female Founders to Capital Programme.
For women entrepreneurs leading innovative businesses in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Manufacturing, this programme presents a valuable opportunity to strengthen business operations, expand professional networks, and unlock the necessary capital to scale impact and achieve long-term growth.