Women Entrepreneurship Development and Access to Finance Program

The Women Entrepreneurship Development and Access to Finance Program (WEDAF) is a major World Bank initiative aimed at accelerating the economic inclusion of women entrepreneurs in Benin. The program is based on an intervention model that combines access to finance, strengthening entrepreneurial skills, and improving the ecosystem of women-led SMEs. The initiative includes the creation of a Women’s Business Center, a platform dedicated to supporting women entrepreneurs, and the establishment of mechanisms enabling women-led businesses to access appropriate financing, mentorship programs, and market opportunities. The program adopts a results-oriented approach to stimulate the growth of high-potential women-owned businesses and strengthen their contribution to job creation.

🚀 Increase access to finance:
Provide loans, lines of credit, and guarantees to over 10,000 women-led MSMEs, using dedicated funding windows and sustainable bonds.

📈 Strengthen entrepreneurial capacity:
Ensure the survival and growth of businesses supported by the "Agodjié Champions" by offering training, mentoring, and management consulting.

🏢 Improve the institutional ecosystem:
Create a Women’s Business Center and provide technical support to the ADPME and FIGPME agencies to foster an enabling environment.

💼 Promote formalization and markets:
Support investment readiness and market access for businesses, with the aim of stimulating job creation through competitive cohorts.