This program targets Entrepreneur Support Organizations (ESOs) and ventures in Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania.

Village Capital, with a long history of supporting entrepreneurs in Sub-Saharan Africa (over 14 accelerator programs since 2012), will bring its expertise to the table. Norad, a champion of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), will contribute its global partnership experience.

Empowering Sustainable Entrepreneurship Africa takes a two-pronged approach.

First, it will equip ESOs, often the backbone of local entrepreneurial communities, with the technical skills and resources they need to thrive.

Second, it will directly support climate-focused startups in the target countries, fostering a pipeline of high-growth ventures tackling critical areas like renewable energy, food security, and climate adaptation solutions.

“ESOs are essential,” said Rachel Crawford, leading special projects at Village Capital. “They provide crucial support to entrepreneurs, acting as trainers and connectors to vital networks like investors and talent.”

“But these ESOs often face similar challenges to the startups they help. Village Capital’s unique program design addresses this by combining ecosystem development, venture support, and access to capital,” Crawford added.

Per Fredrik Ilsaas Pharo, Norad’s director of climate and environment, echoed the program’s significance. “Entrepreneurs are drivers of change for the SDGs,” he said. “This partnership tackles the barriers they face – limited access to funding and technical support – by strengthening the ESO ecosystem.”

“The program’s multi-sectoral approach, focusing on areas like the blue economy and climate adaptation, positions it to make a significant contribution to African innovation and entrepreneurship,” Pharo concluded.

For ESOs in the targeted countries interested in program details and engagement opportunities, Village Capital will host an information session. This session will delve deeper into the program and its eligibility criteria.

To learn more and express interest in the information session, contact Ahmed Fadl, program manager at Village Capital (ahmed.fadl@vilcap.com).