UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) will host a Masterclass for women digital entrepreneurs from English-speaking Africa, under the theme: “From Resilience to Scale: Women Digital Entrepreneurs Transforming Africa’s Economy”, from 21-24 July 2026, in Kenya, Nairobi.
Bridging the Digital Divide for Women Entrepreneurs
The digital economy is expanding rapidly across Africa, opening new pathways for innovation, inclusion, and entrepreneurship. Yet women entrepreneurs in the region continue to face barriers to digitalization, finance, visibility, and policy engagement. Structural and societal challenges often limit the full potential of women-led digital businesses.
To address these gaps, UNCTAD is organizing a Masterclass for women digital entrepreneurs from English-Speaking Africa, gathering 25 women founders from across the region for four days of learning, exchange, and inspiration.
What to Expect
This high-impact Masterclass will offer participants the opportunity to:
• Sharpen business skills through practical training sessions led by regional experts
• Exchange experiences with fellow women entrepreneurs tackling similar challenges
• Expand networks with digital ecosystem actors and investors
• Engage in dialogue with government representatives to shape more inclusive digital policies
Partners
This Masterclass is hosted by UNCTAD in collaboration with Ms. Hilda Moraa, Founder & CEO of Pezesha (Kenya), and eTrade for Women Advocate for English-Speaking Africa for the period 2024-2026.
Who Can Apply?
The Masterclass is open to women digital entrepreneurs from the following countries:
- Cameroon, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda
To be eligible, applicants must:
• Be a woman founder or co-founder of a digital business (e.g. in e-commerce, fintech, agritech, edtech, healthtech, digital logistics, etc.)
• Have at least 3 years of operational activity
• Demonstrate a positive social or economic impact in their community through digital innovation, women’s empowerment, or sustainability
Candidates from indigenous communities, marginalised groups and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
How to Apply?
Applications Applications are open until 26 April 2026.
Interested candidates must complete the application form available at: Application - eTrade for Women Masterclass for English-Speaking Africa – Fill out form
Learn More
Applications information will be available at: eTrade for all
About the eTrade for Women Initiative
Launched by the United Nations in 2019, the eTrade for Women initiative—powered by UNCTAD and the eTrade for all partnership—aims to empower women entrepreneurs in developing countries by harnessing the transformative power of digital technologies to drive inclusive growth and innovation.
