Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) DRC Program for Women Entrepreneurs 2024

The Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) gives enterprising women the knowledge, networks, and access they need to launch and scale successful businesses. AWE uses a hybrid model that combines the online platform DreamBuilder (developed through a partnership between Arizona State University’s Thunderbird School of Global Management and global copper mining company Freeport-McMoRan) with in-class mentoring and facilitation. Through AWE, participants learn core business skills, then get together as a class to discuss the material with experienced implementers, local mentors, and U.S. Exchange Alumni. Partnerships with local NGOs, universities, and chambers of commerce offer women the opportunity to amplify their newly learned business skills and network with other businesspeople through speed mentoring and entrepreneurship fairs. 

Successful participants will gain access to seed capital (specific to winners of the business plan competition) as well as further training opportunities at Harvard Business School in the United State and South Africa.

About Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) DRC

AWE is the State Department’s flagship program supporting the Women’s Global Development and Prosperity Initiative (W-GDP), launched by White House Advisor Ivanka Trump in February, 2019 in Cote d’Ivoire. W-GDP has the ambitious goal of reaching 50 million women worldwide to fulfill their economic potential. Currently, AWE operates in more than 100 countries and has been rolled out in DR Congo in 2023. AWE DRC will help women entrepreneurs by providing them the knowledge, networks, and access they need to scale their businesses. It focuses on early stage and enterprising w...... read more

AWE DRC Program

Aim and Benefits of AWE DRC Program

• Provide resources for women to engage in U.S-style online education with guided facilitation and localization from local women business leaders. 
• Foster networks that support participants’ access to peer-to-peer mentorship, business partners, and scaling opportunities with businesses in the region and in the United States. 
• Provide access to a wide range of opportunities tailored to women’s economic empowerment to expand the effects of participation. 

Requirements for AWE DRC Program Qualification

• Application form must be filled in English. 
• Candidates must speak/read English (the curriculum is in English). 
• Candidates should be female entrepreneurs. 
• Candidates must be 25-45 years old. 
• Candidates must have an email account.

Application Deadline

How to Apply

For more details, visit AWE-DRC website.