<!– wp:lazyblock/programme {"stage":"Growth & Scale Stage","status":"Closed","is_flagship":false,"p_desc":"Supporting 100 SMEs across nine Southern African countries, with at least 60% women-owned or women-led, this programme strengthened SME competitiveness, investment readiness and trade and export capabilities by leveraging the flagship AWIEF Growth Accelerator and the AWIEF Community digital platform.","details":"
Region: Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zambia
Supporting 100 SMEs across nine Southern African countries, with at least 60% women-owned or women-led, this programme strengthened SME competitiveness, investment readiness and trade and export capabilities by leveraging the flagship AWIEF Growth Accelerator and the AWIEF Community digital platform.
Focusing on scalable early- and growth-stage businesses in agriculture, agro-processing, and textiles and apparel, the programme delivered:
- Business education, training and investment readiness support
- Improved governance, regulatory compliance and risk management
- Reduced transaction costs and improved access to finance (below $1 million)
- Pathways to regional and international market expansion
The initiative built a more inclusive, export-oriented SME ecosystem in Southern Africa, supporting sustainable growth and deeper regional economic integration.
“} /–>