U.S. Ambassador Randy Berry launched the third cohort of the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) program in Walvis Bay on Tuesday.
The third cohort will consist of 120 participants from all 14 regions of Namibia, who will receive training over a period of five months.
“We may all be aware of the high youth unemployment rate and income inequality in Namibia. That’s why we, as the U.S. government, continue to seek ways to broaden our engagement and catalyze both public and private partnerships to enable Namibia to harness its economic opportunity and build an inclusive and resilient economy. Investing in women entrepreneurs is just one way we partner with Namibians to build an even more inclusive and resilient economy. Data shows that when women entrepreneurs are successful, whole communities – men, women, and children – benefit,” said Ambassador Berry.
The program was first established in Namibia in November 2020 and aims to provide women with the tools needed to create and grow their own businesses, raise capital, and effectively network with other successful business owners from across the globe.
A total of 70 women from the !Karas, Erongo, Khomas, Ohangwena, and Oshana regions graduated from the first and second cohorts in 2021 and 2022, respectively.
Funded by the U.S. Embassy and implemented by grant recipient Association for Entrepreneurial Development (AED), AWE is a global program run by the U.S. Department of State that currently empowers women entrepreneurs in more than 50 countries.
The program was developed to support the White House-led Women’s Global Development and Prosperity (W-GDP) Initiative, which is designed to help women worldwide fulfill their economic potential.
