The 4th edition of ShEquity’s female-focused accelerator program is now accepting applications.

Applications for the fourth iteration of the ShEquity Business Accelerator have been opened by African investment firm ShEquity Partners, which focuses on women (SHEBA).

ShEquity is an investment company that makes wise investments in Sub-Saharan African companies run and managed by women that are innovative, effective, and scalable. Through de-risking African female-led businesses, making them investment-ready, and providing the founders with the necessary skill set to grow and scale their companies, its SHEBA program, run in collaboration with implementation partner MBC Africa, addresses the gender funding gap that currently exists.

Three cohorts of 30 people each made up of individuals from Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo have participated in the SHEBA program.

The 17-week accelerator offers venture development and technical assistance to female African entrepreneurs throughout the ECOWAS area who want to expand their companies and become investment-ready.

SHEBA offers the chance to get finance from ShEquity and other investors within the ShEquity network in addition to the strong program development focus. Qualifying enterprises are suggested to the ShEquity team for investment consideration after the accelerated program. Between US$50,000 and US$250,000 is the normal range for a ShEquity seed investment, with the possibility of extra post-investment support.

Anglophone applicants with companies incorporated in West Africa are welcome to apply here till April 21. For Francophone applicants with companies registered in West Africa, a second invitation will be made.