Empowering Women Entrepreneurs: A Spotlight on the FAO-IAFN Accelerator Mentorship Programme for Women-led SMEs in Africa

The FAO-IAFN Accelerator Mentorship Programme for Women-led SMEs in Africa is progressing well, marking its third year of empowering women entrepreneurs across Sub-Saharan Africa. Now halfway through the 2024-2025 cohort, the programme continues to provide mentorship, capacity development, and tailored workshops to equip mentees with the tools needed to overcome challenges, scale their businesses, and thrive in an ever-evolving agrifood sector.

Workshops: A Cornerstone of Capacity Building 

Workshops form a critical component of the programme, complementing the one-on-one mentorship sessions. Designed to deliver practical knowledge and foster peer learning, these interactive sessions are key to building the capacity of women entrepreneurs. Each workshop follows a structured format: one hour is dedicated to expert-led talks to inspire and share insights, while the second hour engages mentees in breakout sessions for coaching on business development, leadership, and finance. 

The series includes three workshops tailored to address the specific needs of SMEs: 

1️⃣ Business Development & Marketing Workshop 
This foundational workshop focuses on key strategies for positioning businesses in competitive markets, managing resources effectively, and mastering the art of selling products and services. It equips mentees with tools to understand market share and develop marketing strategies, both of which are crucial for business growth.

2️⃣ Leadership & Human Resource Workshop 
The second workshop, completed recently on February 13, 2025, was designed to provide mentees with a deeper understanding of leadership and HR management. This session emphasized key topics such as identifying and enhancing leadership styles, implementing effective strategies, improving communication, and managing team dynamics. 

3️⃣ Finance Access Workshop (Upcoming on April 15, 2025) 
The final workshop in the series will focus on preparing mentees for financial readiness. Participants will work with their mentors to develop business elevator pitches, which they will present during the session. Experts and investors will review these pitches, offering feedback to help mentees secure the right financing for their businesses.

Spotlight on the Leadership & Human Resource Workshop

The recently concluded Leadership & Human Resource Workshop was a resounding success. Held virtually via Zoom, it brought together mentees and global leaders for an engaging session on emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities in leadership and HR management.

The workshop began with a keynote address from Ms. Farayi Zimudzi, Subregional Coordinator for Eastern Africa and Representative to the AU and UNECA, FAO, who spoke about the importance of leadership in driving innovation and resilience in agribusinesses. This was followed by a panel discussion featuring global experts, including;

• Ms. Robynne Anderson, Director General, International Agrifood Network 
• Ms. Jeanne Bernick, Executive Director, Pinion Global Network 
• Ms. Nimo Kanina, Professional Speaker, Entrepreneur & Storyteller 
• Ms. Yolande Nankeng Founder, Extrait Végétal Sarl 
• Ms. Donna Rosa, Chief Entrepreneurship Officer, Efour Enterprises LLC 

These inspiring leaders shared their insights on recruitment, retention, and strategies for creating supportive work environments.

The breakout sessions were particularly impactful, offering mentees the opportunity to dive into specific leadership and HR scenarios. From learning how to build effective networks to creating people-centered teams, the sessions were tailored to provide actionable strategies for mentees to apply in their businesses.

Looking Ahead: Finance Access Workshop

As the programme moves forward, the Finance Access Workshop promises to be an exciting and crucial session for the mentees. With a focus on financial readiness, it will cover topics such as increasing access to finance for women entrepreneurs, understanding what banks look for in investments, and tailoring business pitches to secure funding. This hands-on session will equip mentees with the skills to navigate financial challenges and prepare for long-term sustainability.

A Transformative Journey 

The FAO-IAFN Accelerator Mentorship Programme continues to make a meaningful impact on the lives of women entrepreneurs in Sub-Saharan Africa. By combining mentorship with capacity-building workshops, the programme is not only empowering mentees to run successful businesses but also contributing to the broader transformation of agrifood systems.

With one workshop remaining, mentees are on an inspiring journey of growth, innovation, and resilience. As they prepare to tackle the challenges of securing financing, the programme remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting women entrepreneurs and advancing gender equality in the agrifood sector.