The ECOWAS is launching the ECOWAS Youth and Women’s Entrepreneurship Programme (EYWEP) with support from AUDA-NEPAD. This initiative includes the ECOWAS Regional Business Incubation Programme (EBIP), aimed at assisting youth aged 18 to 35 in seven countries—Benin, Ivory Coast, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Senegal, and Sierra Leone—by providing resources for sustainable business development from innovative ideas. Project submissions are currently being solicited for structured incubation.
Application Deadline:
- 16 July 2026 (23:59 GMT)
Tell Me About the Programme:
The ECOWAS Regional Business Incubation Programme (EBIP), part of the ECOWAS Youth and Women Entrepreneurship Programme (EYWEP), supports young entrepreneurs aged 18–35 in seven pilot countries. With technical and financial backing from AUDA‑NEPAD, EBIP helps transform innovative ideas and prototypes into viable, sustainable businesses through structured incubation, training, and mentorship.
Pilot Countries:
- Benin
- Ivory Coast
- Gambia
- Ghana
- Guinea‑Bissau
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
Type:
- Business Incubation Fellowship | ECOWAS Region | Youth Entrepreneurs
Who can apply?
Applicants must:
- Be 18–35 years old.
- Be nationals or residents of one of the seven pilot countries.
- Hold a business idea, prototype, or project in the pre‑launch phase.
- Submit a complete application file before the deadline.
Eligible Domains:
Projects must fall under:
- Pharmaceutical Industry
- Information & Communication Technologies (ICT)
- Solar & Renewable Energy
- Agrosilvopastoral Activities & Agricultural Value Chains
Programme Format:
- 12 young people per country.
- 84 beneficiaries total.
- Structured incubation including:
- Entrepreneurship training.
- Project maturation workshops.
- Mentoring and coaching.
- Business model and plan development.
- Legal company creation support.
- Networking with technical, financial, and institutional partners.
- Grants may be awarded to the best projects per country.
Selection Criteria:
Applications evaluated on:
- Relevance and clarity of idea.
- Innovation and feasibility.
- Potential for transformation into a viable business.
- Motivation and commitment.
- Job creation potential.
- Socio‑economic impact and growth potential.
- Contribution to sustainable development and regional integration.
Benefits:
- Structured incubation programme.
- Specialised training and technical support.
- Mentorship by experts.
- Legal formalisation support.
- Networking and visibility in the regional ecosystem.
Required Documents:
- Updated CV.
- Valid ID.
- Concept note (business idea/project).
- Problem statement, solution, target market.
- Supporting documents (prototype, mock‑up, images, etc.).
- All consolidated into one PDF file.
How to Apply:
- Prepare a complete application file.
- Email to the country‑specific address with the subject “Application for the EYWEP/EBIP Incubation Program 2026”.
- Benin: benin.eywep@cdjscedeao.org
- Ivory Coast: cotedivoire.eywep@cdjscedeao.org
- Gambia: gambia.eywep@cdjscedeao.org
- Ghana: ghana.eywep@cdjscedeao.org
- Guinea‑Bissau: guineabissau.eywep@cdjscedeao.org
- Senegal: senegal.eywep@cdjscedeao.org
- Sierra Leone: sierraleone.eywep@cdjscedeao.org
- Deadline: 16 July 2026 (23:59 GMT).
Visit the Application Webpage for Details