Academy for Women Entrepreneurs

The U.S. Embassy in Pretoria of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a program to train 100 women entrepreneurs based in South Africa (60), Lesotho (20), and Eswatini (20). The Academy for Women Entrepreneurs is a program of the U.S. Department of State, using a hybrid model that combines online learning with in-class mentoring and facilitation. The program in South Africa is centered on the Francis and Dionne Najafi 100 Million Learners Global Initiative, an online course spearheaded by the Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University.

Applicants for this notice of funding opportunity will support cohorts of women entrepreneurs in up to seven cities – five in South Africa and one each in Lesotho and Eswatini. The cohorts will attend virtual, hybrid, and in-person events at American Spaces or Embassy partner locations in each city.

For participation in the Najafi 100 Million Learners course, the applicant will work with the U.S. Embassy to identify an in-person U.S. government program alumni facilitator in each city to lead the participants. The coursework features eighteen modules/themes key to global entrepreneurial success in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The program aims to provide entrepreneurs with proven 21st Century strategies for creating value through innovation in existing enterprises across the private, nonprofit and public sectors.

Facilitators will also lead in-person discussions and serve as mentors for program participants. Facilitators will be alumni of related U.S. government programs and will be selected in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy or Consulate General. Facilitators will attend a pre-program training and orientation provided by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

The eventual implementing partner will need to run program launch, pitch and graduation events. These sessions are to be held in-person. The implementing partner will also work in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy to host online masterclasses led by industry experts.