5 AWIEF alumni win USADF grants

The United States African Development Foundation (USADF), has awarded 5 AWIEF alumni, who graduated from the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) 2020 program, with a $10 000 grant each to help them grow and scale their businesses.

Last week USADF awarded $10 000 in catalytic seed funding to each of the 5 promising African women graduates of the 2020 Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) program, implemented by AWIEF  in partnership with the United States Embassy in South Africa.

“USADF believes women will drive Africa’s growth and prosperity,” said USADF President and CEO, C.D. Glin. “USADF has a long history of supporting women to succeed as entrepreneurs and remains committed to empowering and investing in African women to break barriers, gain economic and financial independence, and create pathways to prosperity for their families, communities, and countries.”

The 5 grantees’ enterprises represent a cross-section of industries and professions, from health and education to online-tech and agri-business:

Nothando Kubeka – The Bread Shack (Food processing and capacity building)

Nonjabulo Sokhela – Nepoworx (Solar energy, training and capacity building)

Nozipho Soka – Rea Jala (Vegetable production and capacity building)

Ruvimbo Mashazhu –  HelloBasa (Virtual job marketplace development)

Yonela Siguba – InspiraXion (Youth education workshops and camps)

The grantees are so excited and thankful for receiving the grants. One of the grantees, Nonthando Kubeka, confirms: “I’m so grateful to have been part of the AWE program and to receive this grant. We can’t wait to catapult our business to new heights with this grant.”

AWIEF congratulates all the grantees and is proud of the ambitious and committed women entrepreneurs for their hard work and for taking full advantage of this great opportunity to grow their business.