The Women In Africa (WIA) Initiative has signed a three-year partnership with The Coca-Cola Foundation to empower 20,000 women entrepreneurs from 10 African countries, through the JAMII Femmes Programme.

According to the Founder, of WIA Initiative, Mrs Hafsat Abiola-Costello, the Programme, which is an initiative of The Coca-Cola Foundation, is aimed at supporting women with innovative solutions for sustainable development for over three years through online training, networking, mentorship and local boot camps.

“Our aim is to give African women access to resources and to champions that can set them up for success. It will also give them access to resources, directly impact 20,000, and indirectly impact over 60,000 persons, thus opening up pathways to their success and is key to Africa’s rise,” she said.

Vice President Public Affairs, Communication and Sustainability at Coca-Cola, Patricia Obozuwa, noted that the partnership is a testament to the belief that Coca-Cola Foundation has in African women and the continent at large, adding that the initiative will boost business creation opportunities by improving access to vocational training, networks, finance and markets.

Highlighting the process, she said: “For this first year, the Coca-Cola Foundation and Women In Africa are offering a multi-phase programme to 7,000 women from three countries; Ivory Coast, Kenya and Nigeria, to take part in online training from August to November 2022.

“These sessions, conducted by WIA’s knowledge partner and Africa’s first and largest network of private higher education institutions, Honoris United Universities, will equip women to take a principled approach to design creative ideas, and gain knowledge on leadership and managerial skills,” she said.

“The first phase is a 4-month digital training phase, conducted by WIA’s partner, Honoris United Universities, Africa’s first and largest network of private higher education institutions, which will enable them to develop skills.

More than 600 entrepreneurs will receive grants to support their business development and increase their impact in communities. In January 2023, 70 selected beneficiaries will benefit from a 2-week accelerator programme.

At the end of the programme, one laureate from each country will receive a $10,000 prize to support their project. By addressing the key gaps faced by women entrepreneurs in Africa, she said.

Launched in 2017, and chaired by Hafsat Abiola, Women in Africa (WIA) Initiative is the first international platform dedicated to the economic development and support of African women entrepreneurs.

Call for applications for the 2nd cohort is open on the WIA website.