November 19, 2020
USADF Announces Inaugural Cohort of Academy For Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) Grantee Enterprises
Washington, D.C., November 19, 2020 - In partnership with the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), the United States African Development Foundation (USADF) announced today – Women’s Entrepreneurship Day – the inaugural cohort of USADF Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) grantees.
In support of the White House-led Women's Global Development and Prosperity Initiative (W-GDP), which aims to empower 50 million women in the developing world by 2025, AWE was created in 2019 and launched by ECA in 26 countries worldwide. AWE is now in 53 countries, including 16 in Africa.
Under its W-GDP partnership with ECA, USADF will provide up to $10 million in catalytic funding and technical support to select African AWE graduates in Africa through 2025. For the inaugural USADF AWE cohort, USADF has awarded 38 grants across eight African countries totaling more than $800,000 in seed funding for African women entrepreneurs to start and scale their enterprises.
“USADF believes women will drive Africa’s growth and prosperity,” said USADF President and CEO C.D. Glin. “USADF has a long history of supporting women to succeed as entrepreneurs and remains committed to empowering and investing in African women to break barriers, gain economic and financial independence, and create pathways to prosperity for their families, communities, and countries.”
USADF’s financial support for these African women entrepreneurs is in line with W-GDP’s Pillar 2, focused on promoting women’s entrepreneurship and increasing access to capital, markets, technical assistance, and mentorship.
Assistant Secretary of State for ECA Marie Royce remarked, “I continue to be excited about the impressive innovation and entrepreneurship displayed by our AWE graduates in Africa. I'm proud to see some of our most promising alumnae take advantage of the USADF grants to grow their respective companies and social ventures. We remain committed to women's economic empowerment and appreciate the partnership we have with USADF in the region.”
USADF AWE Grantees Sharon Musonda (Dichem Ltd.), Lightness Ladislaus Salema (Dream Developers Ltd.),
Mutesi Gasana (Ubuntu Publishers), and Laurene Rwema (Uzi Collections)
The inaugural USADF AWE grantees’ enterprises represent a cross-section of industries and professions, from fashion and textiles to telehealth and agri-business. The cohort includes the following African women entrepreneurs:
Ghana
Rosemond Appiah: Afridiamond Enterprise (Agriculture – rice)
Mary Asare: Maduke Garment (Fashion – dressmaking and training)
Fafape Ama Etsa Fow: E90 Ghana Limited (Agriculture – mushrooms)
Patience Owusu Kissiedu: Peema Naturals (Agriculture – shea)
Kenya
Grace Njeri Mbote: VaaKanya (Fashion – shoe design and production)
Lavender Odeny: Renaissance Manufacturing Africa (Agriculture – cassava)
Miswaleh Zingizi: Kaya Nuts (Agriculture – cashews)
Rwanda
Mutesi Gasana: Ubuntu Publishers (Children’s books)
Julian Ingabire: Playground Hub (Education)
Annet Kasabiiti: Brateco (Food processing – vegetable juice)
Phiona Ninsiima: Kula Bridge (Hospitality/Tourism – culinary heritage)
Joie Grace Muhayimpundu Niyigena: HA Veggies (Food processing – vegetable bread)
Laurene Rwema: Uzi Collections (Fashion)
Senegal
Mbene Diakhate: Soproved Suarl (Agroforestry)
Johanna Louise Ngone Mbengue: JudiMap (Technology – legal consulting)
Awa Ndiaye: Njureel Telemedicine (Technology – telemedicine mobile app)
Adja Maty Sembene: Contanna Tea (Agriculture – tea)
Tanzania
Lucy J. Chuwa: Tushinde Company Ltd. (Health – delivery kits)
Magdalena Haule Njaidi: Mama Wa Shamba (Food processing)
Lightness Ladislaus Selema: Dream Developers Ltd. (Agriculture – bee keeping and honey)
Uganda
Kaguna Angela: Action for Youth Development Uganda (Handicrafts)
Auma Juliet Ochaya: Agriculture Input Distribution (Agriculture – inputs & extension services)
Zambia
Maria Akani: Renaisense (Mental health)
Matimba Choongo: Creditnet Zambia Ltd. (Financing)
Monica Dimingo: Dimitru Events (Environment – tree planting)
Tabonga Musukwa Kalabi: Olives Only Honey Processing (Food processing – packaging)
Pamela Mutale Kapeleke: Ngweru Solar Services (Off-grid energy – solar)
Anniw Kapapula Landu: Three Roofs Investment Ltd. (Agriculture – cassava hand sanitizer)
Siphiwe Lukama: Kasenga Agro Solution (Agriculture – honey production)
Priscilla Musenge: Entomo Farm (Agriculture – animal feed and fertilizer)
Sharon Musonda: Dichem Ltd. (Environment – waste management)
Zimbabwe
Fundisayi Chigumadzi: Tarmo Power Group (Off-grid energy – solar)
Pevelope Gatora: Naim Tax Consulting (Advisory services – taxes for small businesses)
Chipo Mabota: Cooper and Jones Global Logistics (Transport – goods)
Blessing Machiya: Shumbakadzi Investments (Food processing – fruit and vegetable snacks)
Violet Masuku: Delcor Drilling (Water – solar pumps)
Cecilia Sewera: G&C Chemicals (Manufacturing – cleaning products)
Mercy Suka: Solar Hub Technologies (Off-grid energy – solar)
For more information on USADF, visit: www.usadf.gov. For more information on AWE, visit: eca.state.gov/awe. For more information on W-GDP, visit: www.wgdp.gov/.