How can Africans in the diaspora support their family members in a more sustainable way? Do you know about WIDU.africa grants? Which role does the WIDU.africa business coach play?
On 20.05.2022, the Kenyan WiDU Consultants Team (Simeon Kirui, Founder of Kepic Commercials Germany and Caroline Mwangi, Co-Founder of AG-Career Hub) hosted an information session mobilizing Kenyans in Germany, Austria and Switzerland to apply for the WIDU.africa grants and support small businesses in Kenya.
The Role of the Business Coach of the WIDU.africa grants
During the session, the consultants gave insights on how to apply for the grants and convert business ideas into the WIDU concept. Apart from the business grants, WIDU.africa is geared towards offering non financial support to entrepreneurs to help them apply sustainability in their business models. We had the honour of hosting one of the WIDU coaches who have us an intensive overview of the role the coach plays in coaching the entrepreneur. Click here to watch the LIVE session with the business coach.
Please note that for one to apply for the grant, you need a diaspora donor based in the partner countries with WIDU.africa. Africans based in Germany, Austria, France, Switzerland, Netherlands, Norway and Finland together with their entrepreneurs based in Kenya, Cameroon, Ghana, Ethiopia, Togo and Tunisia can apply for the grants and support small businesses back home.
What is WIDU.africa
WIDU.africa is implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). In collaboration with the African diaspora in Europe, WIDU applies an innovative approach that combines funding and coaching to strengthen new and existing small businesses in Africa, which then leads to the creation of new jobs.
According to World Bank estimates, members of the African diaspora in Germany transfer more than €1.2 billion annually to their countries of origin to support family and friends. However, the money is rarely used for entrepreneurial investments. This is where WIDU comes into play.
WIDU enables
- Transparent and efficient management of the projects for all participants.
- The goal is the creation of new jobs, increased income and better economic perspectives for Kenya.
- The WIDU Platform is an initiative of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), implemented by the Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).
Who benefits from WIDU?
WIDU was developed for those who want to improve the economic situation in Africa sustainably. Specifically, the initiative is aimed at private individuals from the Kenyan diaspora based in Germany who regularly transfer money to their home countries.
Read more about WIDU.africa here: www.widu.africa