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WIDU.africa carries out all project activities via www.widu.africa platform and has therefore access to conclusive impact data on entrepreneurs and the entrepreneurial ecosystems of it's six partner countries in Africa.

• On average, each entrepreneur supported by WIDU creates two new jobs.
• Female entrepreneurs supported by WIDU create more jobs for women compared to male entrepreneurs.

The WIDU platform combines technical and financial development cooperation approaches: entrepreneurs receive financial support and at the same time undergo tailored capacity building measures (business coaching).

Organisations interested in promoting micro-enterprises and creating jobs in Africa can cooperate with WIDU.africa.

Cooperation with WIDU offers:

• Easy and direct access to micro-enterprises in Africa
• Targeted promotion of economic sectors (e.g. Local Calls)
• Possibility to reach and support enterprises in Africa directly in the event of a crisis (Corona Business Grant & Rapid Response Grant)
• Access to diaspora networks in Europe

Currently, WIDU offers the possibility to:

• develop and implement Local Calls
• jointly implement a Rapid Response Grant
• provide funding similar to the WIDU’s Original Grant

Future Cooperation Opportunities

In its upcoming, second project phase (starting in October 2023), WIDU intends to further expand its hybrid approach. The aim is to establish a multi-donor fund and to use it to continue already established funding programmes (see Original WIDU Grant) as well as to introduce new programmes geared to the requirements of donor organisations. It is also conceivable to supplement other types of financing for entrepreneurs, such as the granting of loans. Third party funding organisations shall be able to cooperate with WIDU or commission targeted support measures (permanent or on an ad hoc basis).

Original WIDU Grant

The WIDU Original Grant is WIDU’s first funding instrument. Members of the African diaspora living in Europe can apply and financially support family members and friends with businesses in Africa.

• Small businesses from all business sectors
• Financial contribution by diaspora required
• Private investment by entrepreneur required

Employment prospects are key to development and stability across different regions of Africa. Many entrepreneurs in Africa have the potential to create new jobs. However, they often lack not only an access to financial services and capital, but also to a support to expand their entrepreneurial skills. In consequence, they often struggle to reach their full potential. 

Cooperation with diaspora holds major potential for improving these conditions. According to World Bank estimates, African diaspora in Germany transfers EUR 1.52 billion to their countries of origin each year. So far, only a small proportion of it is invested in businesses and their activities. Therefore, there is an untapped potential to involve the diaspora as a contributor to entrepreneurial funding through capital and knowledge transfer.

Through a combined grant and coaching approach, the project unlocks potential of entrepreneurs turning their ideas into employment and income. To achieve this, WIDU.africa cooperates with the African diaspora in Europe. The programme aims to leverage a proportion of diaspora remittances to Africa into micro-businesses, thus ensuring access to finance for entrepreneurs. The incentive is a grant paid to successful entrepreneurs by the project.