AfCFTA Impact Investment Readiness Accelerator Cohort 2 For African Women, Youth & PwD-Led SMEs (Over US$100,000 in Catalytic Funding)

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Applications are open for AfCFTA Impact Investment Readiness Accelerator (Cohort 2). Designed to strengthen women-owned, youth-led, and disability-focused small and medium-sized enterprises across Africa. The programme responds to a critical gap in Africa’s capital ecosystem, where high-potential inclusive businesses remain underrepresented in formal investment markets despite their proven ability to drive job creation, innovation, and inclusive economic growth.

This accelerator is positioned to bridge the disconnect between impact investors seeking bankable, impact-aligned opportunities and enterprises that require structured support to become investment-ready. By strengthening enterprise systems, refining business models, and facilitating direct investor engagement, the programme aims to unlock sustainable capital while preparing participating SMEs for expansion within the African Continental Free Trade Area, a single market of 1.4 billion people valued at US$3.4 trillion.

AfCFTA Impact Investment Readiness Accelerator Program Objectives

Operationalising the Gender Equity and Social Inclusion (GESI) Roadmap as a practical tool that drives measurable change across Nigeria’s and Africa’s financial and real sectors.
Strengthening knowledge and adoption of Gender Lens Investing (GLI) while enabling institutional-level integration of GESI principles into enterprise strategy, governance, and decision-making.
Refining enterprise systems and capabilities, including business processes, models, documentation, governance structures, and sustainability practices—while embedding a culture of continuous learning, reflection, and adaptive improvement.
Catalyze sustainable revenue growth, job creation, and long-term enterprise resilience.
Facilitating investor connections, deal flow, and matchmaking to unlock equity, debt, and grant funding at scale.

Implementation & Methodology

Program Structure

Phase 1: Business Clinic & Diagnostics
Phase 2: Coaching & Technical Support
Phase 3: Impact Platform Onboarding & Deal Matching

Target Population

The program targets women-owned SMEs, youth-led enterprises, and PwD/WwD-focused businesses operating in Africa.

Eligibility Criteria for AfCFTA Impact Investment Readiness Accelerator

Applicants must:

Be registered and commercially viable SMEs operating in Africa (early growth stage)
Demonstrate revenue-generating activities
Show potential for scalability and measurable social and/or environmental impact
Be committed to learning, continuous process improvement, and adaptation
Be actively seeking catalytic funding or impact capital to scale within the next 12 months.

How To Apply

Click Here To Apply

Application Deadline: Not Specified