The East African Science and Technology Commission (EASTECO), with the African Union Development Agency–NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD), is offering a free three-day, in-person business training for youth and women entrepreneurs in eight East African Community (EAC) countries. It’s part of the Creating Opportunities for Youth and Women in Africa (COYWA) programme, with 160 places: 20 in each country.
Deadline: Friday, 20 November 2026, 4:00 p.m. CAT / 5:00 p.m. EAT.
Key Details
- Organisers: EASTECO (East African Community) and AUDA-NEPAD
- Programme: COYWA country-level capacity-building training
- Duration: 3 days, in person, in your own country
- Countries: Burundi, DR Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda
- Places: 20 per country (160 in total)
- Cost: free
- Dates and venues: shared with selected applicants
- Deadline: 20 November 2026, 4:00 p.m. CAT / 5:00 p.m. EAT
What You’ll Learn
Day 1: Innovation, entrepreneurship and business models. Opportunity spotting, customer discovery, value propositions and the Business Model Canvas, with a hands-on clinic on your own business model.
Day 2: Financial management, market access and growth. Financial records, costing and pricing, cash-flow forecasting, digital marketing, customer acquisition and regional market opportunities.
Day 3: Financing readiness, pitching and action planning. Financing options, pitch development with peer feedback, and a measurable 90-day action plan for your business.
Benefits
- free, practical training focused on your own business or idea
- tools for costing, pricing and cash-flow planning
- help improving your business model and pitch
- a 90-day enterprise action plan
- peer learning and networking with entrepreneurs and business-support practitioners
- information on incubation, mentorship and market-access opportunities
- water, tea and lunch provided during the training
Important: this is training only. Pitching is a learning exercise, not a competition, and taking part doesn’t guarantee COYWA grants, loans or investment. No accommodation or daily allowances are provided, so you must be able to attend in your own country.
Eligibility
- a citizen or eligible resident of Burundi, DR Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania or Uganda, applying for the training in your own country
- a youth entrepreneur aged 15–35, a woman entrepreneur, or an eligible enterprise-support practitioner
- you own, manage or work in a business, or have a clear business idea or innovation with commercial potential
- able to attend all three days in person and complete the assessments and 90-day plan
Graduate students, researchers commercialising innovations, entrepreneurship educators and incubation staff can also apply. You don’t need to be investment-ready. Women, young innovators, persons with disabilities and rural entrepreneurs are encouraged.
How Applications Are Scored
- relevance and clarity of your business, innovation or idea: 25%
- demonstrated training needs: 25%
- potential to apply the skills: 20%
- potential for growth or economic contribution: 20%
- motivation and commitment: 10%
How to Apply
- Read the official EASTECO–COYWA Call for Applications (PDF).
- Complete the COYWA Capacity-Building Training application form, choosing the training in your country.
- Describe your business or idea clearly and explain the specific skills you need.
- Submit before 20 November 2026, 4:00 p.m. CAT / 5:00 p.m. EAT.
Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. Enquiries: [email protected] or [email protected].
Tips
- Be specific about your gaps, for example “I don’t know how to price my products”. Training needs carry 25% of the score.
- Show how you’ll use the skills straight away in your business.
- Mention customers, sales or a prototype if you have them.
- Confirm you can attend all three days; full participation is required.
