Prime Highlights
- AWIEF and Nedbank will support 75 women-owned businesses over three years.
- The programme will help South African businesses improve operations, access finance and enter local and international markets.
Key Facts
- Each annual cohort will include 25 businesses.
- Participating businesses must be at least 51% owned by black women and already have paying customers.
Background
The Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) and Nedbank have launched a new programme to help women-owned businesses grow and enter new markets in South Africa.
The Women Enterprise Growth and Export programme is part of a three-year partnership between the two organisations. It will support 75 women-owned small and medium-sized businesses, with 25 businesses selected each year.
The 12-month programme targets established South African businesses that are at least 51% owned by black women. Companies must already generate revenue, operate actively and serve paying customers.
The programme will help businesses improve their operations, finances, products and readiness to work with larger buyers. Support will include business assessments, coaching, technical mentoring, supplier development, market access and preparation for finance and investment.
Participants will also receive help to prepare for exports and explore opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). This could include business contracts, joint ventures and co-production partnerships.
The 2026 programme will select 25 businesses from sectors including agriculture, manufacturing, construction, renewable energy, textiles, beauty, tourism, design and the circular economy.
Applications for the 2026 cohort will close in the first week of September. Selected businesses will go through screening in September and October before the programme begins in November.
The programme will run from November 2026 to October 2027. Participants will also receive networking opportunities, buyer connections and access to the AWIEF2026 conference in Cape Town.
