Organizations across Sub-Saharan Africa now have an opportunity to secure up to $1 million (approximately R18 million) in funding following the launch of the SheConnects Digital Accelerator: Africa 2026, an initiative aimed at accelerating digital inclusion and economic empowerment for women and girls across the continent.
The accelerator is seeking proven digital solutions that can help bridge Africa’s digital gender gap by improving access to technology, digital skills, online services, and income-generating opportunities for women. The programme will support organisations whose innovations have the potential to reach at least 50,000 women within an 18-month implementation period, ensuring meaningful and measurable impact at scale.
As Africa’s digital economy continues to expand, millions of women still face significant barriers to accessing technology, including affordability, limited digital literacy, inadequate internet connectivity, and social constraints. The SheConnects Digital Accelerator aims to support organisations already developing practical solutions that can overcome these challenges and enable more women to participate fully in the digital economy.
Successful applicants will receive not only financial support but also an 18-month implementation period to refine, deploy and scale their digital solutions. The programme builds on previous editions that have backed organisations working to increase internet adoption, digital literacy and economic participation among women across Africa.
The initiative comes at a time when governments, technology companies and development organisations are placing greater emphasis on ensuring that women are not left behind as artificial intelligence, fintech, e-commerce and other digital industries reshape economies worldwide. Increasing women’s participation in technology is widely regarded as essential for creating more inclusive economic growth and unlocking innovation across emerging markets.
Applications for the SheConnects Digital Accelerator: Africa 2026 are open to eligible organisations across Sub-Saharan Africa until 8 July 2026, with successful applicants expected to be announced in August before projects begin in early 2027.
