EASTECO Launches Youth and Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Challenge Under COYWA Programme
Description
East African Science and Technology Commission, Kigali, Rwanda, 28th January, 2026: The East African Science and Technology Commission (EASTECO), in partnership with the African Union Development Agency–New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD), has officially launched a Call for Proposals for the Youth and Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Challenge under the Creation of Opportunities for Youth and Women in Africa (COYWA) Programme.
Requirements
The Challenge aims to identify, support, and scale high-potential, youth- and women-led enterprises across the eight East African Community (EAC) Partner States: Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Uganda, and Tanzania. The initiative is designed to empower young people and women as drivers of innovation, job creation, and inclusive economic growth, while strengthening entrepreneurship ecosystems and addressing persistent barriers such as limited access to finance, weak market linkages, and skills gaps. ~~Through this competitive challenge, selected enterprises will receive up to USD 10,000 in grant funding, alongside a comprehensive package of non-financial support, including: a 5-day regional entrepreneurship bootcamp, a 2-month structured incubation programme, tailored mentorship and coaching, access to regional incubation facilities and networks, and an opportunity to pitch at the EAC 4th Science, Technology and Innovation Conference. A total of 16 youth- and women-led enterprises will be supported under this Call.