ECOWAS Youth and Women Entrepreneurship Programme Business Incubation Call

The ECOWAS Youth and Women Entrepreneurship Programme (EYWEP) is accepting applications from young entrepreneurs aged 18–35 in seven West African countries who have innovative business ideas or early-stage prototypes. Through the ECOWAS Regional Business Incubation Programme (EBIP), participants receive entrepreneurship training, mentoring, business development support, networking opportunities, and the chance to compete for grant funding for the best projects.

What is the ECOWAS Youth and Women Entrepreneurship Programme (EYWEP)?

The ECOWAS Youth and Women Entrepreneurship Programme (EYWEP) is an entrepreneurship development initiative established by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) through its Centre for Youth and Sports Development, with technical and financial support from AUDA-NEPAD.

The programme helps young innovators transform promising business ideas into sustainable enterprises by providing structured incubation, entrepreneurship training, mentoring, business planning support, and access to professional networks.

Implementation is carried out through the ECOWAS Regional Business Incubation Programme (EBIP), which identifies and supports promising entrepreneurs across selected West African countries.

Background

Many young people in West Africa possess innovative business ideas but face challenges such as limited technical expertise, insufficient business skills, lack of mentorship, and restricted access to startup support.

The EYWEP addresses these barriers by providing practical business incubation services that help participants refine their ideas, formalize their businesses, and prepare for long-term growth.

The programme initially operates in seven pilot countries while supporting regional entrepreneurship and innovation.

Programme Objectives

The programme aims to:

Support youth entrepreneurship across West Africa.
Transform innovative ideas into viable businesses.
Build entrepreneurial and business management skills.
Promote startup creation and formalization.
Encourage innovation in strategic economic sectors.
Strengthen regional entrepreneurship ecosystems.
Connect entrepreneurs with technical and financial partners.

Key Highlights

Programme Name: ECOWAS Youth and Women Entrepreneurship Programme (EYWEP)
Implementing Organization: ECOWAS Centre for Youth and Sports Development
Technical & Financial Partner: AUDA-NEPAD
Implementation Mechanism: ECOWAS Regional Business Incubation Programme (EBIP)
Target Group: Young entrepreneurs aged 18–35
Support Offered: Incubation, mentoring, entrepreneurship training, coaching, networking, business development, and potential grant funding

Priority Sectors

Business ideas must fall within one of the following sectors:

Pharmaceutical Industry

Projects focused on:

Pharmaceutical production
Healthcare innovation
Medical products
Health technologies

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)

Eligible ideas include:

Software development
Digital platforms
Artificial intelligence
Mobile applications
Technology solutions
Digital services

Solar and Renewable Energy

Projects may include:

Solar technologies
Clean energy solutions
Renewable energy systems
Energy innovation
Sustainable power solutions

Agrosilvopastoral Activities and Agricultural Value Chains

Supported activities include:

Agriculture
Agribusiness
Agroforestry
Livestock
Food processing
Agricultural technologies
Value chain development

Programme Benefits

Selected participants will receive comprehensive entrepreneurship support, including:

Business Incubation

Participants will join a structured incubation programme designed to strengthen early-stage businesses.

Entrepreneurship Training

The programme includes practical training on:

Entrepreneurship
Business management
Startup development
Innovation
Financial planning

Project Maturation

Participants receive assistance in refining and strengthening their business ideas before market entry.

Mentorship

Experienced professionals will provide:

Business mentoring
Strategic guidance
Industry advice
Entrepreneurial support

Personalized Coaching

Participants receive one-on-one coaching tailored to their business needs and development stage.

Business Model Development

Support includes:

Business model design
Value proposition development
Customer identification
Revenue strategy

Business Plan Preparation

The programme helps participants develop professional business plans suitable for investors and funding opportunities.

Company Formalization

Support is provided for:

Legal registration
Business formalization
Company establishment
Regulatory compliance

Networking Opportunities

Participants can connect with:

Technical experts
Financial institutions
Investors
Government agencies
Entrepreneurship support organizations

Grant Opportunities

At the conclusion of the programme, the best business ideas from each participating country may receive grant funding, subject to available resources.

Who Can Apply?

Applicants must:

Be between 18 and 35 years of age.
Be a national or resident of one of the eligible countries.
Have an innovative business idea, prototype, or early-stage entrepreneurial project.
Be in the design or pre-launch phase.
Operate within one of the programme’s priority sectors.

Eligible Countries

Applications are accepted from young entrepreneurs residing in:

Benin
Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
The Gambia
Ghana
Guinea-Bissau
Senegal
Sierra Leone

Eligible Business Stage

The programme is designed for projects that are:

Business ideas
Innovative concepts
Early-stage prototypes
Pre-launch startups
Businesses still in the design phase

Established businesses beyond the startup stage are generally outside the programme’s target group.

Expected Outcomes

The programme aims to achieve:

New startup creation.
Improved entrepreneurial skills.
Formalized businesses.
Stronger business models.
Increased youth employment.
Greater innovation in strategic sectors.
Expanded regional entrepreneurship networks.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should:

Confirm eligibility based on age, country, and business stage.
Ensure the project falls within one of the priority sectors.
Prepare a clear description of the business idea or prototype.
Demonstrate the innovation and potential impact of the project.
Complete and submit the official application before the deadline.
Participate in the selection process if shortlisted.
Join the incubation programme upon selection.

Why This Programme Matters

Youth entrepreneurship is essential for creating jobs, driving innovation, and promoting sustainable economic development across West Africa.

The EYWEP helps bridge the gap between innovative ideas and successful businesses by providing:

Practical entrepreneurship training.
Professional mentoring.
Startup support.
Business formalization.
Regional networking.
Access to potential grant funding.

By focusing on high-growth sectors, the programme contributes to regional economic transformation while empowering young innovators.

Tips for a Strong Application

To improve your chances of selection:

Clearly explain the problem your business solves.
Demonstrate the innovation behind your idea.
Show market demand and potential customers.
Highlight the social or economic impact of your project.
Ensure your proposal aligns with one of the priority sectors.
Present a realistic plan for business development.
Explain why you are ready for incubation support.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these common issues:

Applying with a project outside the priority sectors.
Submitting incomplete application materials.
Providing an unclear business concept.
Failing to explain the innovation or uniqueness of the idea.
Applying with a business that is already well established.
Not demonstrating commitment to entrepreneurship and business growth.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the ECOWAS Youth and Women Entrepreneurship Programme (EYWEP)?

It is an entrepreneurship support programme established by ECOWAS with support from AUDA-NEPAD to help young entrepreneurs develop innovative business ideas into sustainable enterprises through incubation, training, mentoring, and networking.

2. Who can apply?

Young people aged 18 to 35 who are nationals or residents of Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Senegal, or Sierra Leone and have an innovative business idea or prototype.

3. Which sectors are eligible?

Projects must relate to:

Pharmaceutical industry
Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)
Solar and renewable energy
Agrosilvopastoral activities and agricultural value chains

4. What support does the programme provide?

Participants receive entrepreneurship training, mentoring, business coaching, project maturation support, business model development, networking opportunities, assistance with company formalization, and potential access to grant funding.

5. Does the programme provide grants?

Yes. At the end of the incubation programme, the best project ideas from each participating country may receive grant funding, subject to the availability of funds.

6. Can applicants with only a business idea apply?

Yes. The programme is specifically designed for entrepreneurs with business ideas, innovative concepts, prototypes, or projects that are still in the design or pre-launch phase.

7. What is the ECOWAS Regional Business Incubation Programme (EBIP)?

EBIP is the operational mechanism through which ECOWAS identifies, incubates, mentors, and supports young entrepreneurs participating in the EYWEP.

Conclusion

The ECOWAS Youth and Women Entrepreneurship Programme (EYWEP) offers an excellent opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs in West Africa to transform innovative ideas into successful businesses. Through structured incubation, expert mentoring, entrepreneurship training, networking opportunities, and potential grant funding, the programme strengthens youth-led innovation and supports sustainable economic growth across the ECOWAS region.