200+ women entrepreneurs graduate from the Women Creating Wealth programme in 5 African countries Â
From March to May 2024, we proudly celebrated the graduation of more than 200 women entrepreneurs from the Women Creating Wealth (WCW) programme, adding to the existing 500 graduates. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the host partners in the countries â New Faces New Voices in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, as well as the Federation of Associations of Women in Business in Zambia and COMESA Confederation of Women in Business (COMFWB) in Malawi â for their invaluable contributions to these successes.
We are excited to welcome more women and young entrepreneurs to the Women Creating Wealth Intergenerational (WCW-I) Edition. This 10-month programme  provides comprehensive training in growth mindset, leadership, and personal mastery and offers coaching, mentorship, and access to markets and finance. With women entrepreneurs participating in South Africa, Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania Uganda, Senegal and Zambia WCW is on a mission to  support 10,000 women entrepreneurs to generate jobs for young people and a billion dollars (USD) in revenue over the next five years. Learn more about how to apply here  here.
Launch of the Women Creating Wealth Agricultural Value Chains programme
In April 2024, The Trust’s Women Creating Wealth programme introduced the Agricultural Value Chains initiative in partnership with the University of Johannesburg’s Centre for Competition, Regulation, and Economic Development (CCRED). This initiative is designed to accelerate the growth of women-owned businesses in the citrus, poultry, and winery agricultural sectors. Read more about the programme launch here: Programme Launch Article.
For application details, click here.
Photo: From left to right – Caroline Komey, Senior Programme Officer, Women’s Creating Wealth – GMT; Dikonelo Motseki, Founder of Sidern Trading and WCW programme participant; Musa Gwebani, Programme Officer – European Union South Africa; Shiphra Chisha, Director of Programmes – GMT; Thelma Bamhare, WCW Project Lead – GMT.
Partnerships drive growth for women entrepreneurs in Uganda and Tanzania
On 30 May 2024, the Trust’s WCW programme, in collaboration with the Stanbic Bank Biashara Incubator, hosted a Women, Leadership, and Entrepreneurship Masterclass in Tanzania. This event is part of the Trust’s ongoing commitment to partnering with organisations like Stanbic Bank to drive real change, supporting women leaders and entrepreneurs across Africa and building a continent where equity and prosperity are within everyone’s reach. Read more
In May Stanbic Bank Uganda and Old Mutual Uganda participated in the WCW graduation ceremony, re-emphasising  their dedication to support entrepreneurs to grow  in the country. Dr Hillary Musoke, the Private Secretary to the President of Uganda (Pictured with the Trust’s team), also attended the event, underscoring the government’s strong support for women entrepreneurs and their crucial role in national development.
The Trust’s Uganda WCW Country Lead, Warda Katange, and the Trutâs Senior Entrepreneurship Manager, Korkor Cudjoe, met with key partners dedicated to supporting women entrepreneurs in Uganda. They explored partnerships and collaborative opportunities that will leverage the expertise and influence of Makerere University Business School (MUBS) to drive meaningful outcomes for women-led businesses. Discussions with the MUBS leadership team, Dr Diana Ntamu and Prof. Moses Muhwezi focused on enhancing the WCW entrepreneurship programme to provide women with essential resources, mentorship, and networks for business growth.
WCW and Tanzania Women Chamber of Commerce collaborate to support entrepreneurs
The Women Creating Wealth programme in Tanzania launched its first roadshow in Zanzibar, hosted by the Tanzania Women’s Chamber of Commerce (TWCC) Zanzibar Chapter. These are a series of meetings held across various regions of Tanzania to promote the WCW programme and engage with local communities, especially women entrepreneurs. The Zanzibar event introduced the programme to local women entrepreneurs and TWCC members, featuring an information session led by Ms. Tatu Suleiman, chairperson of TWCC Zanzibar. She highlighted the significance of initiatives that enhance women’s entrepreneurial skills. Ms. Anabahati Mlay, WCW Country Manager for Tanzania, underscored the importance of partnering with organisations like TWCC, which have already laid strong foundations. She affirmed that these collaborations are crucial in supporting women’s economic growth and building a thriving ecosystem for African women entrepreneurs.
Stories of growth
Supporting women winemakers
Photo: GMT team offered support to the entrepreneurs during the Wine Expo
To overcome market entry barriers and enhance women entrepreneurs’ access to local markets, the Trust has strategically developed partnerships, organised impactful convenings, and connected women to key exhibitions and forums, advancing their roles in the agricultural value chains. This year, we supported three women entrepreneurs from our Women Creating Wealth’s Agricultural Value Chains and Fair for All projects to participate in the Proudly South African Annual Wine Expo, held in Johannesburg in July 2024. This event has historically provided significant market access opportunities, offering a crucial networking platform for South African winemakers to connect with potential buyers, distributors, and consumers. Read more.
Seed multiplication in Zambia sparks growth and job creation for women entrepreneurs
In 2018, the Trust funded a seed multiplication programme, Africa Food Basket, which is now visibly transforming the lives of the women involved. The Trust’s Director of Programmes, Shiphra Chisha, and WCW Senior Entrepreneurship Manager, Korkor Cudjoe, recently visited some of the projects in Zambia to witness the progress made. Kalomo Grain is one of the businesses  visited, and it exemplifies an inclusive business model, showing significant growth and impact. Ms Cudjoe said: “Through the Africa Food Basket initiative, we could create 1,000 more jobs, a significant boost for the WCW-Intergenerational project in Zambia.”
Photo: Kalomo Grain demonstrate the Trustsâ Women creating Wealth programmeâs far-reaching impact
How WCW’s support fuels success for Malawian entrepreneurs
In Malawi, Evelyn Kamanga, the Trust’s WCW’s Country Lead, and her team visited entrepreneurs nationwide. Their first stop was Annie Chifulemba Msika, owner of Joan Footwear and a participant in the WCW Intergenerational programme. Through the programme’s Personal Mastery module, Annie has gained confidence and is now a sought-after speaker at various events. She also learned the importance of implementing effective business systems and building a solid team, allowing her business to operate smoothly, even when absent.
Photo: Evelyn Kamanga, WCW Country Lead for Malawi, with Annie Chifulemba Msika, owner of Joan Footwear.
Offering ongoing support to  entrepreneurs
Paving the way for gender-inclusive wealth creationÂ
Photo: Shiphra Chisha, GMT Director of Programmes speaking to participants
Globally, women are 20% less likely to start businesses than men. South Africa faces additional challenges like limited access to funding, mentorship, and networks, compounded by societal expectations and gender biases. To address these issues, the Trust not only raise awareness of the challenges, but also share stories of success and impact that elevate the work and journeys of the women we work with to the continental agenda. This year, our Director of Programmes, Shiphra Chisha joined the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation’s New Frontiers to celebrate Women’s Month in South Africa, focusing on supporting young women entrepreneurs. She highlighted the importance of gender lens investing, and emphasised the need for solid investment cases that offer long-term value, scalability, and sustainability, all while delivering a gendered impact. Read moreÂ
Financial Readiness roundtable
The Financial Readiness roundtable, held virtually on July 10July 10 2024, highlighted the necessity of our WCW programme. Hosted in partnership with the Afrishela Fund and supported by the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), the event brought together women entrepreneurs eager to secure funding and expand their businesses. It provided an overview of various financial products and funding options, offering crucial insights into what investors seek. Participants learned how to align funding opportunities with their business goals and meet funders’ requirements, supporting them in accessing the capital needed for sustainable growth.
Photo: Part of the participants during the virtual meeting
African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) training
The AfCFTA is a pivotal initiative to boost intra-African trade and economic integration. Recognising its potential, the Trust, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), and the Trade Law Centre NPC (TRALAC) hosted a two-day workshop in Johannesburg on 18 and 19 July 2024. The workshop aimed to prepare South African women entrepreneurs for the opportunities and challenges of AfCFTA. WCW participants gained crucial insights into the agreement, better access to trade resources, and a deeper understanding of expanding their businesses through intra-regional trade. This training was a significant step toward equipping women entrepreneurs with tools to maximise the benefits of AfCFTA.
Photo: Participants of the AfCFTA training expressed optimism about applying the key learnings to enhance their businesses
Digital Literacy and Public Sector Procurement training
Digital literacy and access to public sector procurement are vital for the success of women-owned small and medium enterprises. However, many face challenges in these areas. To address this, Â the WCW programme hosted a training session focused on enhancing digital skills and navigating public procurement processes earlier in August. Participants learned to leverage digital tools for business growth, expand their market reach through e-commerce, and effectively engage in public sector procurement. The session also provided extensive networking opportunities and fostered a sense of community and support. Read more.Â
Photo: Entrepreneurs built connections and were looking forward to strengthening their potential for economic impact.
A Glimpse into South Africa’s entrepreneursâ day
Photo: Women entrepreneurs and various stakeholders present during Global Entrepreneur Week 2023 during the South Africa celebrations
November is regarded as entrepreneurship month as entrepreneurship day falls within it. Several of our WCW countries hosted entrepreneurship days to create a space for entrepreneurs to learn from each other and share experiences and insights with potential investors and allies. Â Check out what the different countries did to celebrate this day.
Also, catch up on a thought leadership piece by Korkor Cudjoe, the Trust’s Senior Entrepreneurship Manager: Unleashing the power of female entrepreneurs to tap into Africa’s lucrative business opportunities here.
The Trust supports and mobilises civil society networks on issues of ending child marriage, ending violence against children, ending female genital mutilation and promoting childrenâs rights, to carry out advocacy and action across Africa. Special focus is placed on Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania and Zambia where child marriage continues to be a problem largely driven by poverty, gender inequality, harmful traditional practices, conflict, low levels of literacy, limited opportunities for girls and weak or non-existent protective and preventive legal frameworks.
Education is a fundamental right for all children, which is also a vehicle for social, economic and political transformation in communities, countries and the African continent at large. Recent studies indicate a lack of progress in some of the critical commitments aimed at improving education quality, access, retention and achievement, particularly for girls. In most African countries, girls may face barriers to learning, especially when they reach post-primary levels of education. By implementing multi-dimensional approaches to education which includes core education, personal development, life skills and economic competencies, the Trust partners with funding partners, governments, civil societies and the private sector to improve education access.
The Nutrition and Reproductive, Maternal, New-born, Child and Adolescent Health and Nutrition, (RMNCAH+N) of the Childrenâs Rights and Development Programme aims at promoting the Global Strategy for women, children and adolescentsâ health within the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) agenda. The strategy emphasises on the importance of effective country leadership as a common factor across countries making progress in improving the health of women, children and adolescents.
Through its Early Childhood Development (ECD) plan, The Trust will seek to put into action the new science and evidence Report that was presented by Lancet Series on Good and early development – the right of every child. This will be achieved by mobilising like-minded partners to contribute in the new science and evidence to reach all young children with ECD. The Trustâs goal is to be a catalyst for doing things differently, in particular, to rid fragmentation and lack of coordination across ECD sectors. In response to evidence showing the importance of political will in turning the tide against the current poor access and quality of ECD. Even before conception, starting with a motherâs health and social economic conditions, the early years of a childâs life form a fundamental foundation that determines whether a child will survive and thrive optimally.