Dear Valued Subscribers,
This month, as we celebrate International Women's Day (IWD), we acknowledge the incredible achievements of women across the globe and the progress made towards gender equality.
The 2024 theme, "Count Her In: Invest in Women, Accelerate Progress," calls for a world where women's voices are heard, and their contributions are valued. At Spurt! we are firmly committed to championing diversity and building an inclusive workforce for women in the e-commerce industry.
Show your support for an inclusive world by engaging with our #IWD post here.
Beyond the Headlines.
Application is ongoing for Spurt! Training and Empowerment Programme (STEP) Cohort 7.
Register for the AL for Infrastructure Hackathon proudly sponsored by Spurt!
Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress
Business News Across Africa
Grants and Opportunities.
Remember, you can always reach out with questions or suggestions at growth@spurt.group . We are here to help you thrive.
Application is ongoing for Spurt! Training and Empowerment Programme (STEP) Cohort 7.
Calling all African students, graduates, and young professionals who are eager to bridge the gap between their skills and the demands of the modern workplace.
STEP is a FREE, 12-week virtual program designed to equip young professionals with the essential professional soft skills needed to thrive in any organisation. Led by industry experts and mentors from the Spurt! network, STEP will transform you into a:
Professional: Confidently navigate workplace communications and etiquette.
Analytical: Develop critical thinking skills to tackle complex problems.
Valuable Asset: Contribute meaningfully to any team or endeavour.
Who Should Apply?
Students close to graduation.
Recent graduates entering the workforce.
Corps members seeking career development.
Eligibility Criteria:
Must own/have access to a computer.
Possess basic computer skills.
Have a reliable internet connection.
Ready to take the next step in your career journey? Apply now for the March 2024 STEP cohort! Spots are limited, so don't miss out.
Click here to register.
For any inquiries, contact talent@spurt.group
AL for Infrastructure Hackathon: Leveraging technology solutions to tackle Africa’s Infrastructure Challenges.
We are excited to announce our support for the upcoming hackathon by African Leadership University "AL for Infrastructure" in partnership with Hindsight Ventures.
The Hackathon is an exciting opportunity for African youth to solve for the problem statements presented by our Industry Partners in Financial services, Manufacturing, Logistics, supply chain, and Agriculture and get access to the following: 8-Weeks Venture Development Bootcamp. Technology Credits worth USD 600,000 . International Demo Day . Showcase at the ALA Annual Conclave.
The deadline to submit your applications is: 15th March, 2024 Learn more about the problem statements, and apply now!
Upcoming Spurt! Events
It's Women's Celebration Month, and this March, we are embracing the theme Invest in Women, Accelerate Progress.
Join us for a series of empowering events designed to uplift women entrepreneurs across Africa. From a webinar discussing 'the importance of investing in women to accelerate progress for greater economic and social advancement‘ to 'The African Amazon Masterclass,tailored for female founders leading tech or tech-enabled businesses in Africa and beyond, aiming to propel their startup to the next level and overcome the complexities of their entrepreneurial journey.
Sign up today to join us on the journey of empowering women and fostering progress!
Kindly sign up for our webinar here and secure a slot for the masterclass here.
Invest in Women, Accelerate Progress: Why Gender Equality Matters Now More Than Ever.
The theme for International Women's Day 2024, "Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress," underscores a critical truth: empowering women isn't just a moral imperative, it's an economic one. Here's why investing in women holds the key to unlocking progress across all aspects of society:
Economic Growth: A McKinsey Global Institute report estimates that advancing gender equality could add $28 trillion to the global GDP by 2025. When women participate fully in the workforce, economies thrive.
Social Development: Studies by the World Bank show a strong correlation between gender equality and positive social outcomes, including improved health, education, and reduced poverty.
Innovation and Problem-Solving: Diverse perspectives lead to better outcomes. Including more women in leadership roles leads to more innovative solutions across all sectors.
Peace and Security: Research by the UN Women suggests that gender equality is a key factor in preventing conflict and building sustainable peace. Societies with greater gender equality experience less violence and instability.
Investing in women isn't just about financial resources. It's about removing barriers that hold them back, like access to education, healthcare, and childcare. It's about fostering an environment where their voices are heard and valued.
Want to learn more about how investing in women can accelerate progress? Join us for a Twitter Space discussion on March 22nd titled "How Can Investing in Women Accelerate Progress?" Our expert speakers will delve into the economic, social, and political benefits of gender equality.
Register now to secure your spot!
Let's work together to create a world where women can reach their full potential and unlock a brighter future for all.
Business News This Week
Nigeria -Nigeria is taking a big step towards utilising the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Starting next month (April 2024), the country will formally begin exporting locally produced goods to South Africa, Rwanda, Cameroon, and Kenya.Nigeria sees this as an opportunity to strengthen economic ties with other African nations and unlock the benefits of the AfCFTA agree. Read More Here.
Ghana - The Association of Ghana Industries has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ghana Commodity Exchange to support the agriculture sector increase liquidity in commodity markets and enhance price discovery. The aim of the partnership is to promote food security, and nutrition as well as to create a platform for the trading of designated agricultural commodities. Read More Here.
Kenya- Kenya aims to attract Egyptian investors by leveraging its trade deal with the European Union and strategic East African location. The Ministry of Investment, Trade & Industry plans to entice investment for manufacturing plants, facilitating access to European markets and fostering economic growth and employment. Read More Here.
South Africa - South Africa narrowly avoided a technical recession in Q4 2023 with a 0.1% quarterly GDP growth, preventing two consecutive quarters of contraction. Annual GDP grew 0.6% in 2023, signalling a significant slowdown from 2022. Economists predict 2024 growth between 0.7% and 1.5%, posing challenges for addressing high unemployment, poverty, and inequality. Read More Here.
Grants and Opportunities
Call For Applications: Cascador Accelerator 2024 For African Entrepreneurs. (One week Training, 6 months of Mentorship and $5,000 USD For each participant). Cascador is a program designed to help mid-stage African entrepreneurs grow their businesses and refine their leadership skills. Through a unique blend of education, mentorship, and practical support, Cascador has helped past participants raise over $55 million USD in capital. Grant Amount: Up to $5000. Application Deadline: 30th April 2024. Apply Here.
Applications is ongoing for the Africa Climate Fellowship to drive climate impact. This program is targeted towards bringing together founders from across Sub-Saharan Africa, empowering them to address climate challenges through Renewable Energy, Green Building, Climate Data, Agriculture, WaterTech, and Blue Economy solutions. Application Deadline: 22nd March 2024. Apply Here.
Apply for the 2024 Africa’s Business Her Competition. ABH aims to identify, support, and inspire the next generation of African entrepreneurs who are making an impact in their local communities. Applications are open in English and French to entrepreneurs from all African countries, all sectors, and all ages who operate businesses formally registered and headquartered in an African country, and that have a 3 year-track record. Grant Amount: Up to $300,000. Application Deadline: 19th May 2024. Apply Here
In celebration of #IWD2024, Grey is allocating grants worth up to $8,000 to three remarkable business owners, to help them scale their business to even greater heights through the UpGrey’ed Her Funding Programme. Grant Amount: Up to $8000. Application Deadline: 24th March 2024. Apply Here.
