Organisations across Sub-Saharan Africa now have a fresh opportunity to secure up to $1 million in funding as applications open for the SheConnects Digital Accelerator: Africa 2026, a programme aimed at expanding digital access and opportunities for women and girls across the region.
- Organisations across Sub-Saharan Africa now have a fresh opportunity to secure up to $1 million in funding as applications open...
- The initiative seeks to support proven digital solutions that help women participate more fully in the digital economy, improve livelihoods...
- Organisers are looking for projects that can demonstrate a clear pathway to reaching at least 50,000 women within an 18-month...
- Successful applicants will also benefit from an 18-month implementation period, giving them time to adapt, deploy, and strengthen their solutions...
Keep reading for the full breakdown on Africa — everything you need to know is covered below.
The initiative seeks to support proven digital solutions that help women participate more fully in the digital economy, improve livelihoods and access essential services. CARE and the GSMA Foundation, with support from the Gates Foundation, manage the programme.
It forms part of a broader effort to strengthen women’s digital inclusion through partnerships, innovation and knowledge sharing across the Global South.
Backing Scalable Solutions
The latest funding round focuses on “Partnerships for Women’s Digital Empowerment at Scale”. Organisers are looking for projects that can demonstrate a clear pathway to reaching at least 50,000 women within an 18-month implementation period.
Eligible applicants include non-profit organisations, non-governmental organisations, civil society groups, community-based organisations, mission-driven businesses, academic institutions and formal partnerships or consortia. Proposed projects must be implemented entirely within Sub-Saharan Africa. Government agencies, multilateral bodies and individual applicants are not eligible to apply as lead organisations.
According to CARE, “The SheConnects Digital Accelerator: Africa aims to scale proven, high-impact solutions that enable women and girls to participate fully in the digital world, improving their lives and livelihoods.”
Grants of Up to $1 Million Available
Selected organisations will receive grants ranging from $500,000 to $1 million to support the expansion of their initiatives. Successful applicants will also benefit from an 18-month implementation period, giving them time to adapt, deploy, and strengthen their solutions across multiple markets.
Beyond financial support, participants will join a network of innovators and practitioners working to address the digital gender gap. The programme will facilitate peer learning, collaboration and the exchange of ideas between organisations in Africa and other regions, including India.
The Accelerator builds on earlier rounds that supported African organisations working to improve women’s digital adoption and internet use. Programme leaders say the new cohort will continue generating evidence on effective approaches while encouraging wider adoption of successful models.
Focus on Closing the Digital Gender Gap
The programme arrives as governments, development partners and technology organisations intensify efforts to address unequal access to digital tools and services. Research and programme experience across Africa have shown that women often face barriers, including affordability, limited digital skills and restricted access to technology.
The SheConnects Digital Accelerator supports tested solutions with the potential for large-scale impact, helping more women access digital opportunities that improve income, education, and participation in the broader economy.
Applications for the 2026 funding round close on 8 July 2026 at 11:59 pm EDT. Successful applicants are expected to be notified in mid-August, with projects scheduled to begin in January 2027.
Click here to get more information on how to apply.
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