Deadline Date: July 01, 2026
The Investing in Women Entrepreneurship for a Greener Economy in Benin and Burkina Faso programme is supporting women-owned and women-led agribusinesses and financial institutions through grants and repayable funding aimed at strengthening climate-smart agriculture and expanding economic opportunities for women.
The programme focuses on strengthening the private sector’s commitment to women as economic actors, increasing private and public sector investment in women-owned and women-managed SMEs, reducing systemic gender inequalities, improving access to finance for SMEs and local financial institutions, providing targeted technical assistance for business development and gender mainstreaming, promoting awareness of the economic, social and environmental benefits of investing in women, and encouraging the sustainable adoption of climate-smart practices. Priority value chains include shea, rice, groundnuts, soya, poultry, and other agriculture-related sectors.
Window 1 of the programme supports investments in SMEs and financial institutions operating in Benin and Burkina Faso. Funded by Global Affairs Canada through a C$16 million initiative, this component includes C$7.5 million in repayable and non-repayable grants designed to unlock the potential of the agricultural sector and support women entrepreneurs working in climate-smart agriculture.
Applicants must submit a funding application outlining the business need, requested funding amount, and project duration. Funding is provided through soft loans and non-repayable grants to support specific projects such as introducing new products or services, expanding existing businesses, or entering new markets. Eligible SMEs may apply for funding ranging from CAD 50,000 to CAD 750,000, either as a combination of grants and loans or entirely as loans, subject to compliance with matching contribution and eligibility requirements.
The funding is available to local private sector companies owned and managed by women, as well as financial institutions and financial service intermediaries that already work with women or intend to develop financial products addressing the barriers women face in accessing finance. Eligible enterprises must demonstrate strong business links to women entrepreneurs or women-owned businesses and show commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment in their operations.
Applicants are expected to demonstrate climate change mitigation or adaptation within their business models or show clear intention to integrate climate-smart practices using the requested funding. Businesses must also comply with national laws and international standards related to labour, human rights, and environmental management.
To qualify, applicants must be legally registered and physically located in Benin and/or Burkina Faso and must have operated for at least two full financial years at the time of application. Eligible companies should either be at least 51% owned by women or demonstrate majority female representation in management, employment, suppliers, or distribution networks.
The programme also seeks to strengthen economic ecosystems by supporting enterprises that create jobs, improve value chains, facilitate access to finance, and provide services and products benefiting women and low-income households. Through this initiative, the fund aims to encourage inclusive economic growth while advancing sustainable agricultural practices across the region.
For more information, visit Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund.
