Access to finance remains one of the biggest hurdles for women entrepreneurs in the country, despite their proven track record of reinvesting earnings into families and communities. However, funding oppor¬tunities do exist for those who know where to look.
From grassroots organisations to pan-African development banks, a growing network is working to bridge the gap and put capital in the hands of women who can turn ideas into thriving businesses.
1. Women Unlimited Eswatini support role:
• Provides entrepreneurship training, business mentorship and advocacy for gender equality in economic spaces.
• Offers counselling services that can help women overcome personal and social barriers to business growth.
Funding potential:
• While not a direct funding body, they can connect entrepreneurs with mi¬cro-finance institutions, government programmes and donor agencies that fund women-owned businesses.
• May also host grants or seed-funding competitions for start-ups.
2. Imbita Swaziland’s Women Trust support role:
• A well-established women’s financial organisation in Eswatini that pro¬motes savings, credit and investment initiatives for women.
• Offers financial literacy training to enhance women’s ability to manage funds effectively.
Funding potential:
• Provides soft loans, savings schemes and group lending models to help women start or grow their enterprises.
• May collaborate with development agencies to channel grant funding to women-owned businesses.
… Other funding opportunities
3. Youth Enterprise Revolving Fund Support Role:
• Targets young entrepreneurs, in¬cluding young women, to support innovative business ideas and job creation.
• Provides business training and support to improve sustainability.
Funding potential:
• Offers low-interest loans or grant opportunities for youth-led enter¬prises.
• Women under 35 who own or co-own businesses can access start-up or expansion capital.
4. Rural Development Fund Support Role:
• Aimed at promoting economic development in rural areas, where women are often disproportion¬ately affected by poverty.
• Supports initiatives in agriculture, small-scale manufacturing and community-based enterprises.
Funding potential:
• Provides credit and loans to ru¬ral-based businesses, including those run by women.
• May offer grant schemes for co-operatives or community pro¬jects where women are the prima¬ry beneficiaries.
5. Africa Development Bank (AfDB) Fund Support Role:
• AfDB promotes gender inclusion and funds programmes supporting women’s entrepreneurship across Africa. Works through national banks, development agencies and targeted initiatives like the Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA).
Funding potential:
• Provides large-scale financing, guarantees and technical assis¬tance to institutions that then lend to women-owned SMEs.
• Grants may also be available for women-led projects with high development impact.
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