This project will enable African Entrepreneur Collective to support one cohort of 20 young entrepreneurs in Rwanda, and provide them with the tools they need to help them grow their businesses and create jobs for others. AEC's six-month business accelerator program offers support in the areas where entrepreneurs need it most: capacity building, technology tools, technical assistance, and access to affordable capital. We expect these entrepreneurs will create 300 jobs for their communities.
While African economies are some of the fastest growing in the world, unemployment is widespread perpetuating cycles of poverty in families and communities across the continent. Unemployment disproportionately affects the 290 youth between 15-29 years old. At 42%, Rwanda has one of the continent's highest youth unemployment rate. AEC provides a solution to this unemployment. This project will help us identify and invest in 20 young entrepreneurs and empower them to create jobs for their country.
African Entrepreneurs will transform the Continent. AEC offers young entrepreneurs a unique package of support through our six-month business accelerator program. We offer formal and tailored capacity building services. We offer core business training courses in sales, HR, marketing, and more. We offer industry leading technology tools to help entrepreneurs improve accounting and operating mechanisms. And we offer entrepreneurs $5,000 - $50,000 in direct capital through our loan fund.
AEC believes that all problems on the African continent have solutions on the African continent. When equipped with knowledge and resources, African youth will realize their entrepreneurial potential, expand their enterprises, and create enough jobs to uplift their communities. This will result in local entrepreneurs powering sustainable, economic development in Africa. The future is African. Specifically, we expect that these 20 entrepreneurs will create at least 300 jobs in 3 years.
