The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) and the U.S. African Development Foundation (USADF), have formed a new partnership to empower women entrepreneurs and women-led small and medium enterprises (W-SMEs) in Africa.
The collaboration was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding signed on October 27, 2023.
It aims to help W-SMEs access information, utilize digital tools and analyze business data to boost sustainability, competitiveness and resilience.
In 2021, MCC, USAID and Microsoft launched the DigiFemmes program in Côte d’Ivoire to provide digital and data skills training to women entrepreneurs. Thousands of Ivorian women have participated.
Under the new MCC-USADF partnership, USADF will give grants to eligible DigiFemmes graduates to help them scale their businesses. This supports the inclusion strategies of both organizations to expand women’s access to digital economic opportunities.
The effort aligns with the Biden Administration’s Digital Transformation with Africa initiative to increase digital access, literacy and enabling environments across Africa.
“This partnership highlights MCC’s commitment to empowering women through data and digital skills,” said MCC CEO Alice Albright. USADF is an excellent partner to further expand the impact of the DigiFemmes program.”
USADF President/CEO Travis Adkins emphasized the vital role of supporting African women entrepreneurs. “We’re thrilled to provide seed capital for Ivorian women to grow their digital enterprises,” he said.
