Accelerator

Applications are now open for the 2025 BIC Africa Online Acceleration Programme. The fifth edition of the BIC Africa Acceleration Programme for Women Entrepreneurs will support 30 women entrepreneurs in total, including 20 from the country projects Angola, Comoros, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Somalia and 10 others from  other Sub-Saharan African countries willing to scale their businesses, while contributing to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The programme will run from April to July 2025, and it will focus on established post-revenue women entrepreneurs with a registered business and an operational team, across all sectors and business types through a combination of online training modules, group coaching sessions, individual exercises, and networking sessions with women experts from Africa and Europe with relevant experience in supporting innovative entrepreneurs and start-ups. One-on-one mentoring sessions will be offered to a limited number of participant. Thirty selected women entrepreneurs will benefit from a full online training course (6 modules); will participate in dedicated group coaching sessions (4 sessions) to deepen some of the topics addressed during the training; will participate in 2 networking sessions; will be introduced to the alumnae network of BIC Africa Women Acceleration programme and gain access to other networking and market linkage opportunities and events. Requirements The preferred candidate should: Be a woman (minimum age of 18-years-old) founder/owner of already established business with an operational team and a strong development potential. Be available between April and July 2025 to participate in the Programme with maximum 2 hours per week for online sessions + time to work individually and reflect upon the learnings. Already running a start-up or company (it must be registered since at least 1 year) and seeking to scale up. Demonstrate commitment to actively participate in all the activities of the Acceleration Programme and assisting future developments of the programme. Have access to reliable internet connection. Have a good working knowledge of English language. Eligibility criteria In order to be eligible to apply and participate, applicants must meet the following criteria: The applicant must be a woman founder/ CEO of a company (minimum age of 18-years-old). Note: The programme participation cannot be authorized for another team member, the owner or CEO should participate to ensure the knowledge and experience is supporting the company in the long-term. The business must be already in existence (and registered) for more than 1 year and must have an operational team. Based in Sub-Saharan Africa (Angola, Comoros, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Somalia being the main target countries with overall 20 seats available in the acceleration batch, out of 30) Have a good working knowledge of English language (proved by the use of English in the application). Benefits The core programme will include:  6 online interactive training modules (each lasting 1.5 hours), on topics such as Mission; Unique Value Proposition and Product Development; Business Model; Team & Partnerships; Finance; Marketing. 4 online group coaching sessions (each lasting 1.5 hours), on topics such as Leadership and influencing skills; Mastering personal and business finances; Storytelling and pitch training; Time management and prioritisation. 2 Networking sessions (at the beginning and at the end of the programme) Access to support documents and recordings of the sessions Integration in the BIC Africa Community of women entrepreneurs, with visibility on the BIC Africa website, integration into the LinkedIn group for this Community, as well as access to other networking and market linkage opportunities and events. The programme will also open the door for further opportunities and awards:  A Certificate of recognition will be sent in an electronic format by EBN – BIC Africa project for those who successfully completed the 12-week course acceleration programme (attending at least 9 out of the 12 sessions). Remote one-to-one Mentoring sessions will be offered to high performing participants selected by the BIC Africa expert committee, who as such will get the chance to be matched with one or two European incubation experts, who will accompany their growth trajectory. Further details will be shared at the start of the programme. Other Business Awards (e.g. additional support, highlighted visibility on BIC Africa website, invitation to participate in a BIC Africa event etc.) will be available to high performing participants selected by the BIC Africa expert committee. Application Deadline:  20th of March 2025, 6:00 PM CET. Apply here Also Apply: OGAP Presents: 2025 Oando Graduate Accelerator Program For Nigerians Trainee Client Adviser at AB Microfinance Bank UNOPS Remote IT Data Management Officer Position 2025 Chatham House Mo Ibrahim Foundation Academy Fellowship 2025/2026 for young emerging African Leaders | Fully Funded to London, UK & £2,365 monthly stipend

Applications are now open for the 2025 French-African Foundation Young Leaders Program. Under the High Patronage of H.E. Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic, and H.E. Andry Rajoelina, President of the Republic of Madagascar, this prestigious program brings together 30 committed young talents from France and Africa for purpose-driven leadership. Since its creation in 2019, the French-African Foundation has been working to create new generations of committed African and French leaders who have a positive impact through their activities. Through its Young Leaders program, it has established the first pan-African network of young African and French professionals. Its activities are supported by private and public stakeholders: Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, Danone, Concerto, TV5Monde, Africa Global Logistics, Bpifrance, Orange, France Media Monde, Boston Consulting Group, Total Energies. Requirements Each year, the program attracts thousands of applications. In 2023, a record was reached with more than 5,000 applications in one month from more than 40 African countries and France. 
The application is made on the Foundation’s website. To apply, candidates must meet the following criteria. To apply, candidates must meet the following criteria: Age: between 28 and 40 years old. Language: bilingual in English. French is an asset. Professional experience: have at least 5 years of professional experience with demonstrable leadership skills and impact. Vision: have a clear desire to build bridges between African countries and France. Nationality: be a national of a country on the African continent or French. Each year, the program attracts thousands of applications. In 2023, a record was reached with more than 5,000 applications in one month from more than 40 African countries and France. Benefits For two weeks, one in France and one in an African country, the program offers a unique opportunity for Young Leaders to reflect and act collectively on the challenges of tomorrow, through different formats of exchanges in which they take part. Meetings with influential personalities. Training courses led by renowned experts. Discussions with public and private decision-makers. Each year, the program benefits from the high patronage of the President of the French Republic and the President of the African country hosting the promotion. Two intense weeks of inspiration, training and meetings ! The Young Leaders program, an emblematic initiative of the French-African Foundation, offers an exceptional platform for networking, training and mentoring for young African and French talents. Apply here Also Apply: African Epidemic Service (AES) Fellowship Programme 2025 – Epidemiology Track Global Leadership Call: 2025 HISA Youth Fellowship in Oxford Call For Applications: FAO Internship Program | $700 Monthly Stipends with Training The AFRIKA KOMMT! Fellowship Programme 2025/2027 for Future Leaders from Africa | Fully Funded to Germany