Applications are open for Round 2 of the SheConnects Digital Accelerator: Africa, a funding initiative supporting organisations that use digital technologies to improve outcomes for women and girls across Sub-Saharan Africa. Managed by CARE and the GSMA Foundation with support from the Gates Foundation, the accelerator seeks scalable models that strengthen women’s participation in the digital economy while delivering measurable social impact.
The SheConnects Digital Accelerator: Africa is designed to support organisations with tested approaches and clear pathways to growth. Rather than funding access alone, the programme prioritises initiatives that demonstrate how digital tools can improve livelihoods, health, education, and long-term resilience for women and their communities.
Selected projects should demonstrate realistic implementation pathways and the ability to serve at least 50,000 women users during the grant period. The initiative also places strong emphasis on women-centred design, responsible technology use, and practical delivery mechanisms suited to low-resource environments.
What the Accelerator is Looking For
Strong applications will:
- Place women’s lived realities, needs, and risks at the centre of programme design
- Demonstrate a credible path to reaching at least 50,000 women users within 18 months
- Build on trusted delivery channels, community partnerships, or direct distribution mechanisms
- Show a realistic pathway to sustaining or scaling beyond the grant period
- Use responsible AI practices and safeguards where AI is applied
Priority sector outcomes include:
- Improved women’s and children’s health and nutrition
- Improved household income, economic opportunity, and resilience
- Better educational outcomes for children and youth
Eligible Delivery Models:
Last Mile Service Providers (LMSPs) — frontline actors including community-based organisations, health workers, agricultural extension agents, savings groups, and women’s associations with established delivery capacity and community trust.
Direct to Participant (D2P) — approaches that reach women directly through digital channels or platforms without relying primarily on intermediaries. Applications should clearly explain how women will be reached, onboarded, supported, and safeguarded.
Who Can Apply:
- Nonprofit and civil society organisations including NGOs and community-based organisations
- Mission-driven for-profit organisations with a clear public-benefit mission aligned with the goals of the programme
- Consortia, partnerships, and collaborative proposals — one lead organisation must serve as the primary applicant
- Academic institutions
Award Details:
- Award size: USD $500,000 to $1,000,000
- Period of performance: 18 months
- Expected reach: 50,000+ women users
- Geographic focus: Sub-Saharan Africa
