On Tuesday, 13th of February 2024, the U.S. Embassy Kinshasa in partnership with Groupe Utalii Kwetu has officially launched the “Academy for Women Entrepreneurs” in DRC (AWE – DRC).
At the launch event, selected participants to the original generation of AWE – DRC met their facilitators at the American centers of their respective cities. They also met a sample of mentors picked from the 107 volunteers who joined the program as mentors. Moreover, they did some networking with fellow participants, and shared their expectations for participating in the training.
The main event of the official launch was held in Kinshasa by HE Ms. Lucy Tamlyn, the US ambassador to DR Congo.
The AWE training will take place over a period of six months, including three months of guided formal training and three months of mentorship and business linkages, culminating in a graduation ceremony and pitch session. Successful participants will gain access to seed capital (specific to winners of the business plan competition) as well as further training opportunities at Harvard Business School in the United State and South Africa.
Selected participants will increase their knowledge and understanding of business, marketing, finance, and operations.
The training has begun and is being held both online and physically at the American Spaces in Kinshasa, Kisangani, Lubumbashi, Bukavu, and Goma.