With new co-financing from the European Union and the Gates Foundation, WIDU.africa is expanding to additional African countries – unlocking new opportunities for African entrepreneurs and diaspora communities across Africa and Europe.
A New Phase of Growth For WIDU.africa
Since its launch in 2019, WIDU.africa has supported micro and small enterprises by channeling diaspora engagement into productive investment. Initially financed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the programme has been successfully implemented in Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Togo and Tunisia.
To date, WIDU.africa has supported over 7’600 businesses, contributed to the creation and safeguarding of over 18'000 jobs, and ensured that more than half of these jobs benefit women. These results highlight the potential of diaspora co-financing combined with tailored business coaching to strengthen local entrepreneurship and livelihoods.
Building on this foundation, WIDU.africa is now entering a new phase of regional expansion, made possible through co-financing from the European Union and the Gates Foundation. This partnership will allow the programme to scale its proven model and extend its reach to additional African countries.
Expansion to New African Countries
As of 30 January 2026, the WIDU.africa platform will be accessible and functional in Cote d’Ivoire, The Gambia, and Senegal, and a future implementation in Mali, in addition to the six countries where it is already active. This expansion enables African entrepreneurs and members of the diaspora to jointly apply for WIDU’s financing instruments through a single digital platform.
As WIDU.africa expands geographically, it continues to scale its core approach: combining targeted financial support with individualized coaching to support enterprise growth, job creation and labour market inclusion. Particular emphasis is placed on women- and youth-led businesses, health- and nutrition-relevant sectors, and green and low-carbon activities, in line with the priorities of its partners.
Strengthening Diaspora Engagement and Entrepreneurial Ecosystems
Through this collaboration with the European Union and the Gates Foundation, WIDU.africa will further strengthen diaspora engagement as a driver of private investment, while enhancing learning and monitoring frameworks to support business development. The programme also connects entrepreneurs to follow-on technical and financial opportunities within local entrepreneurial ecosystems.
Together, these efforts will contribute to enterprise growth, job creation, and household resilience, while fostering inclusive and more sustainable micro-enterprise ecosystems and deeper collaboration between diaspora communities in Europe and entrepreneurs in Africa.
One Platform Connecting Africa and Europe
WIDU.africa operates across 29 European countries and 9 African countries, using a single digital platform that supports joint investment between diaspora members and entrepreneurs in the countries of origin. The program aims to redirect diaspora remittances from short-term consumption toward long-term entrepreneurial investment, transforming family support into sustainable economic impact.
At the core of WIDU.africa is the Original WIDU Grant, a matching grant mechanism in which WIDU complements private contributions from the diaspora and the entrepreneur. Grant amounts range up to 3’000€ for first-time applicants and up to 5’000€ for subsequent founding rounds. In addition to financial support, entrepreneurs receive three individualized coaching sessions to support sustainable business growth.
Learn more about how to apply for the Original WIDU Grant: Available WIDU Grants in Africa
Who can participate?
Members of the diaspora may participate in the WIDU.africa programme by registering on the www.widu.africa platform, enabling them to support the entrepreneurial projects of friends or relatives in their country of origin. Participation is open to members of the diaspora residing in Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
Entrepreneurs residing in Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, The Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Senegal, Togo and Tunisia can participate once invited by a diaspora member living in the EU, Switzerland or Norway. After accepting the invitation, they can register on the platform and apply for WIDU.africa’s financial instruments.
More details about our expansion into Mali will be shared soon.
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