Apply for the Her Africa Early-Stage Incubator 2026 for Young African Social Entrepreneurs

Are you a young African social entrepreneur dedicated to advancing gender justice? The Alliance for Women and Girls (AFWAG) is now accepting applications for the 2026 cohort of the Her Africa Early-Stage Incubator (HAESI).

This fully funded, six-month leadership journey is designed to empower founders who are dismantling barriers and building resilient organizations that support women and girls across the African continent. If you are ready to move from technical problem-solving to systems-level transformation, this is your call to action.

Eligibility
Applicants must be 35 years old or younger and serve as a founder, co-founder, or equivalent leader of a social venture that is no more than three years old. Exceptional founders at the ideation stage with a strong, well-articulated concept are also eligible. Ventures should address issues affecting women and girls, including:

• Education and literacy
• Health and wellbeing
• Gender equality and justice
• Environmental sustainability
• Economic opportunity and poverty alleviation

Benefits 

• Liberatory leadership training grounded in equity, care, and shared power
• Support to strengthen organizational strategy, finances, and operations
• Mentorship and personalized coaching from experienced practitioners
• A pan-African peer network for collaboration and collective learning
• Increased visibility and readiness to engage funders and partners
• Lifetime access to the AFWAG alumni community