Call For Applications: ECOWAS Youth and Women Entrepreneurship Programme (EYWEP) 2026

Application Deadline: July 16, 2026

About the Programme

The ECOWAS Commission, through its Youth and Sports Development Centre (CDJS), is pleased to officially launch the ECOWAS Youth and Women Entrepreneurship Programme (EYWEP), a strategic initiative aimed at strengthening entrepreneurship and promoting sustainable economic development across the ECOWAS region. The programme is specifically designed to empower young people and women by equipping them with the entrepreneurial knowledge, practical business skills, mentorship, and access to essential resources required to establish, manage, and expand successful enterprises. Through a comprehensive capacity-building approach, participants will benefit from entrepreneurship training, business development support, networking opportunities, mentorship from experienced industry professionals, and guidance on accessing funding and investment opportunities. EYWEP seeks to address the growing challenges of youth unemployment, underemployment, and limited economic opportunities by fostering innovation, creativity, and enterprise development among the region’s most dynamic population groups. By encouraging the creation of sustainable businesses, the programme aims to stimulate local economies, generate decent employment opportunities, and enhance the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The initiative promotes gender equality and the economic inclusion of women by creating an enabling environment that supports female entrepreneurs in overcoming barriers to business growth. Through strategic partnerships with public institutions, private sector organizations, financial institutions, and development partners, EYWEP will facilitate access to markets, business advisory services, digital tools, and regional networks that enhance entrepreneurial success. The ECOWAS Youth and Women Entrepreneurship Programme reflects the Commission’s commitment to advancing inclusive and sustainable economic growth, reducing poverty, strengthening regional integration, and unlocking the entrepreneurial potential of young people and women as key drivers of economic transformation throughout the ECOWAS region.

Programme Objectives

• Entrepreneurship Training: Equip participants with practical business skills, financial literacy, and digital competencies.
• Mentorship and Coaching: Connect participants with experienced mentors and industry experts.
• Access to Finance and Markets: Facilitate linkages to financial institutions, investors, and market opportunities.
• Policy Advocacy: Strengthen the capacity of young entrepreneurs and women to engage in policy dialogue and advocacy.

Why This Programme Matters

The ECOWAS region faces significant challenges of youth unemployment and limited economic opportunities for women. Entrepreneurship is a key driver of economic growth, but many young people and women lack access to the training, mentorship, and capital needed to start and grow businesses.

EYWEP addresses these gaps by providing:

• Structured training in business development and financial literacy
• Mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs and industry experts
• Access to finance and market opportunities
• A regional network of like-minded entrepreneurs and professionals

For young people and women across West Africa, this programme offers a valuable opportunity to develop entrepreneurial skills, access resources, and build networks that can support their business growth.

Eligibility Criteria

The programme is open to:

• Young people aged 18–35 from ECOWAS Member States
• Women entrepreneurs from the region
• Applicants with viable business ideas or existing businesses
• Individuals committed to participating in the full programme

ECOWAS Member States: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo.

How to Apply

Application Link: Click here to apply

For More Information: Visit the Official EYWEP Page