A Transformative Program for Female African Business Owners
The African Women Entrepreneurship Cooperative is an innovative 12-month, leadership and business management capacity building program that empowers 200 female entrepreneurs annually.
AWEC uses applied and collaborative learning experiences to create immediate business impact and cultivate a pan-African cooperative of entrepreneurs, experts, and allies. The program’s blended-learning model - in which most activities take place digitally - releases AWEC from the traditional confines of in-person training programs and enables us to impact entrepreneurs across the continent and diaspora.
Innovative Learning Model
Starting in June each year, program Fellows embark on a challenging and rigorous growth process that requires a significant time commitment of 4-6 hours per week for 11 months. Our online and offline approach delivers most of our content and learning experiences remotely, enabling our Fellows the flexibility to complete their work from anywhere they have connectivity.
The remote learning is punctuated by optional opportunities for high-performing Fellows to convene at in-person and virtual AWEC events. While there is no program fee to participate in AWEC’s core program, Fellows may incur travel or data expenses if they choose to attend events.
The pillars of our unique blended learning model are:
Interactive Learning
Online and in-person learning opportunities led by business experts and academics
Applied Assignments
Individual applied learning assignments and collaborative team projects
High-Quality Mentoring
One-on-one mentoring from senior business professionals
Peer Network
Online and offline peer networking and feedback
World Class Curriculum and Instructors
The AWEC curriculum is designed to meet the needs of African business women and entrepreneurs. Each month, program Fellows participate in live webinars led by internationally renowned business and academic leaders, followed by assignments that challenge Fellows to apply their newfound knowledge to their businesses.
Past and present instructors include experts from Google, Lagos Business School, Facebook, Ogilvy, CRE Venture Capital, and many others.
AWEC Fellows not only gain rare insights from industry titans in group learning settings, but also have the opportunity to develop one-on-one relationships with mentors. Our network of senior business professionals from across the globe is thoughtfully matched with program Fellows to create powerful personal and professional growth opportunities. Mentor relationships often continue to deepen even after the program year officially ends.
AWEC Fellows
The 1,000 women in the AWEC community represent 53 African countries and the diaspora. Some are veteran business owners seeking an extra edge to scale their enterprises, while others are in their first year and want to create a sound financial and management foundation for their business. Still others are career women who have nurtured an aspiration to strike out on their own and are seeking AWEC’s mini-MBA experience to jumpstart their idea.
We embrace the diverse experiences and knowledge that AWEC Fellows bring to their cohorts. The range of business experiences, industry knowledge, and functional areas of expertise create a rich community from which to learn. As a cooperative, we draw strength from the knowledge and effort that each member is willing to share.
How To Apply
During our two-week application period, AWEC receives an average of more than 2,000 applications for just 200 program spots. Our acceptance rate for this highly competitive program is approximately 9%.
Applications for Cohort 8 will open in January 2025 In the meantime learn more on AWEC Entrepreneur Essentials which is designed to help you no matter what stage of business you are in.
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