WEAC ZAMBIA

What WEAC ZAMBIA does

WEAC (Women's Entrepreneurship Access Centre), legally domiciled in Lusaka, Zambia, is a nonprofit organization founded in June 2015 originally as WEACREATE with support from the US Department of State and US Embassy. It operates as a women's and youth entrepreneurship development platform, delivering a portfolio of roughly 20 programs that include accelerators (Africa Food 360, WEAC Level Up, StartUp Academy, FemBioBiz, Barrick 10X), investment readiness tools (WEInvest, Pitch-O-Rama), skills programs (Innovation Factory, Digital Freelancers Accelerator, Build-A-Business Workshops), green and biodiversity programs (BioFA, Greenovations), and its proprietary Business ModelScore Card (BMSC) flagship tool. Technology infrastructure includes the Mentorpreneur Zambia mentorship platform, the Panuka AgriBiz Hub, and Youth Centered / Business Incubator resource hubs used to deliver programs digitally.

The organization targets women entrepreneurs and youth-led MSMEs in Zambia, with selected programming extending across the SADC region through partnerships with FAO, UNIDO, NEPAD SANBio, German Sparkassenstiftung, Citi Foundation, and Barrick. Beneficiaries are primarily early-stage and emerging MSMEs seeking to move from the informal to the formal sector, plus specialized cohorts in agro-processing, urban agrifood, biodiversity finance, mining supply, and the digital economy. Programs are delivered free to beneficiaries; WEAC does not sell products or services and is funded entirely through grants and program partnerships.

WEAC is governed by an Advisory Council and led by Executive Director Nambula Kachumi alongside a small leadership team (Director of Programs Patrick Shatamuka, Director Finance & Administration Kapoche Mwale, Financial Controller Chikwa Kasuba) with additional program, digital, and satellite coordinators plus resident BDS advisor/coaches. Operating from its Lusaka headquarters (Villa 45 Millennium Village), the organization is actively running in 2025, marked by its 10th anniversary celebration and ongoing program expansion.

Name

WEAC ZAMBIA

Legal name

Women's Entrepreneurship Access Centre

Website

https://weaczambia.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

WEAC (Women's Entrepreneurship Access Centre) is a Lusaka-based nonprofit founded in 2015 that delivers accelerators, mentorship, and investment-readiness programs for women and youth entrepreneurs in Zambia and the SADC region, funded by grants and development partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Entrepreneurship Development Services

NAICS

Computer Training (611420)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Entrepreneurship, Startup Incubation & Pitch Programs (EDAMAKAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Entrepreneurship & Small Business Workforce Programs (EDAAAOAM), Microfinance, Financial Inclusion & Inclusive Markets (BPAGABAM), Financial Literacy, Budgeting & Personal Finance (EDAMAHAE), Financial Inclusion & Consumer Empowerment (Banking Access, Credit Building) (BPAGALAJ), Leadership, Management & Teamwork for Business (EDAMAHAI)

Keywords

• Women entrepreneurship programs
• Business incubation services
• MSME capacity building
• Youth entrepreneurship training
• Accelerator programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Lusaka

HQ country

Zambia

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Grant Funding: WEAC operates as a nonprofit organization primarily funded through grants and partnerships with international organizations, governments, and corporations. The organization does not generate revenue from selling products or services but rather receives funding to deliver entrepreneurship development programs.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

WEAC Zambia (Women's Entrepreneurship Access Centre) delivers a portfolio of free business development services, training programs, mentorship initiatives, and accelerator programs for women and youth entrepreneurs in Zambia and the SADC region, anchored by its proprietary Business ModelScore Card (BMSC) tool. Offerings include the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE), WEInvest, StartUp Academy, WEAC Level Up Accelerator, Africa Food 360 Accelerator, FemBioBiz, Barrick 10X Accelerator, Pitch-O-Rama, and platforms such as Mentorpreneur Zambia and Panuka AgriBiz Hub.

Product overview

WEAC is not a traditional technology product company but rather an entrepreneurship development organization offering a portfolio of business growth programs, tools, and services. The organization provides a comprehensive suite of approximately 20+ programs including accelerators (Africa Food 360, WEAC Level Up, StartUp Academy, Barrick 10X, FemBioBiz), investment readiness tools (WEInvest, Pitch-O-Rama), skills development programs (Innovation Factory, Digital Freelancers Accelerator, Build-A-Business Workshops), and its flagship Business ModelScore Card (BMSC) tool. Programs target women and youth entrepreneurs across diverse sectors including agriculture, digital economy, biodiversity finance, and green innovation, with initiatives like the FAO Youth Agripreneur Incubation Project and EcomConnec for online market access. The organization also operates the Youth Agrifood Business Community of Practice (YAB-CoP) and partners with platforms like Mentorpreneur Zambia and Panuka AgriBiz Hub.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) Initiative providing women with the knowledge, networks, and resources needed to start and grow successful businesses; operates in nearly 100 countries.
• Africa Food 360 Accelerator Inclusive innovation program empowering female agro-processors to scale solutions, boost efficiency, and improve delivery while benefiting rural out-grower communities.
• Biodiversity Finance Accelerator (BioFA) Program supporting green MSMEs positively impacting biodiversity by scaling market-based nature conservation solutions and providing access to financing.
• WEInvest Investment readiness program empowering women-led businesses across the entire investment journey, from capital raising to achieving profitable exit.
• StartUp Academy 15-week program accelerating women entrepreneurs through essential startup steps with weekly experiential sessions led by seasoned mentors and coaches.
• WEAC Level Up Accelerator Business development services (BDS) accelerator enhancing competitiveness and fast-tracking growth of MSMEs in Zambia.
• Barrick 10X Accelerator Program enhancing capacity of local mining suppliers and SMEs to become independent, competitive, and sustainable through tailored support.
• Build-A-Business Workshops Mentor-driven, hands-on program guiding entrepreneurs through designing, testing, and building viable, scalable businesses.
• Pitch-O-Rama Competition selecting ten women-owned businesses to present two-minute pitches to expert judges, offering feedback and cash prize opportunities.
• FemBioBiz Programme Accelerator program supporting women entrepreneurs in biosciences, agri-food, health, and nutrition across the SADC region.
• Innovation Factory Program training university students and entrepreneurs with essential digital economy skills for freelancing and digital-driven business opportunities.
• Digital Freelancers Accelerator Program Program empowering individuals with skills, knowledge, and access to excel in the digital world and navigate technology opportunities.
• FAO Youth Agripreneur Incubation Project Collaborative initiative with FAO, UNIDO, and Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts fostering youth-led agricultural entrepreneurship.
• EcomConnec Program and online community empowering MSMEs to successfully sell products and services online with essential tools, training, and support.
• Citi Microentrepreneurship Awards (CMA) Global program funded by Citi Foundation celebrating outstanding micro-entrepreneurs and their contributions to local economies.
• Greenovations Project Initiative fostering green innovation and entrepreneurship among women and youth in Africa through eco-friendly business support.
• Farmers Business Simulation Program Interactive training helping smallholder and emerging farmers enhance farm management and financial literacy skills.
• Business ModelScore Card (BMSC) WEAC's flagship tool that has supported hundreds of entrepreneurs and MSMEs launch their businesses by compressing the time it takes to go to market and begin generating revenue.
• Youth Agrifood Business Community of Practice (YAB-CoP) Catalytic learning and innovation ecosystem for young Zambian agrifood entrepreneurs enabling knowledge sharing, peer support, and capacity building, also known as the FAO-WEAC Youth COP.
• Mentorpreneur Zambia Structured mentorship program targeting SMEs through a measurable business mentoring intervention, developed with German Sparkassenstiftung Southern Africa and providing resources for both mentors and mentees.
• Panuka AgriBiz Hub Tech-enabled platform providing comprehensive agribusiness entrepreneurship resources with real-world insights, knowledge, and a directory for agribusiness services.

Quantifiable outcome

• Supported hundreds of entrepreneurs and MSMEs to launch businesses through the Business ModelScore Card tool
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• US Embassy (Zambia)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWEAC opened its doors in partnership with the US Embassy in Zambia. The embassy provided support for the initial launch and continues as a key partner in WEAC's initiatives.
• Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFAO supports WEAC through various initiatives including the Youth Agripreneur Incubation Project and the FAO-WEAC Youth COP (Community of Practice) for urban youth in agrifood systems. FAO provides funding, technical support, and programmatic collaboration.
• United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNIDO is a key partner in the FAO Youth Agripreneur Incubation Project, collaborating with WEAC and the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts to provide skills, resources, and support for youth-led agricultural entrepreneurship.
• Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts (Zambia)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Zambian Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts partners with FAO, UNIDO, and WEAC on the Youth Agripreneur Incubation Project to foster youth-led growth in the agricultural sector.
• German Sparkassenstiftung Southern Africa (DSIK)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman Sparkassenstiftung Southern Africa developed the Mentorpreneur Zambia mentorship program in close cooperation with WEAC. The program targets SMEs through structured, measurable business mentoring intervention with resources for both mentors and mentees.
• NEPAD SANBiocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNEPAD SANBio launched the FemBioBiz Programme accelerator with partners, supporting women entrepreneurs in biosciences, agri-food, health, and nutrition across the SADC region. WEAC was a key implementation partner providing business skills, mentorship, and networks.
• BarrickminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBarrick partners with WEAC on the Barrick 10X Accelerator program, which enhances the capacity of local mining suppliers and SMEs to become independent, competitive, and sustainable through tailored support.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• NEPAD SANBio: NEPAD SANBio runs the FemBioBiz Programme accelerator supporting women entrepreneurs in biosciences and agri-food across SADC — the same program in which WEAC is an implementation partner. Comparable in regional scope, program structure, and beneficiary focus.
• FATE Foundation: FATE Foundation is a leading Nigerian nonprofit providing business development services, accelerators, and training to early-stage and growing entrepreneurs across Nigeria and West Africa. Comparable in mission (SME development), target beneficiary (women/youth), and program structure (incubators, accelerators, mentorship).
• Anzisha Prize (African Leadership Academy): Anzisha Prize identifies and supports very young African entrepreneurs (ages 15-22) through fellowship, training, and mentorship. Highly comparable target segment (youth entrepreneurs) and capacity-building program structure.
• Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF): TEF runs Africa's largest pan-African entrepreneurship program, providing training, mentorship, and seed capital to African entrepreneurs. It is a direct peer in the African entrepreneurship development space, targeting similar SME/early-stage segments with a comparable program-and-grant model.
• Graça Machel Trust: Graça Machel Trust is a Pan-African women's rights and economic empowerment organization supporting women's entrepreneurship and leadership across SADC. Highly comparable in mission focus (women's economic empowerment) and geographic scope (SADC region).
• WE International (formerly WECREATE Global): WE International is the direct global parent/affiliate of the original WECREATE initiative from which WEAC Zambia was launched in 2015. It operates women's entrepreneurship centers in multiple countries using the same incubation model, making it the most directly comparable peer.
• Seedstars: Seedstars runs entrepreneurship programs and pitch competitions targeting early-stage entrepreneurs in emerging markets, particularly Africa. Comparable in program architecture (incubator/accelerator/pitch competitions), target beneficiary, and emerging-market geographic focus.

Broad incumbents

• Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN): GEN operates Global Entrepreneurship Week and entrepreneurship programs in 180+ countries, including AWE-type programs. Comparable as an ecosystem convener and program operator with similar global development-finance sponsorship model, though broader in scope.

Emerging players

• African Leadership University (ALU): ALU is a Pan-African higher education institution developing entrepreneurial leaders. Comparable in mission (developing African entrepreneurial talent), beneficiary segment (youth), and content delivery model, but operates as a degree-granting institution rather than a nonprofit BDS provider.
• African Women in Technology (AfroTech): AfroTech supports African women in technology and digital entrepreneurship through training and community. It is an emerging player with partial overlap on WEAC's target beneficiary (women entrepreneurs) and adjacent focus areas like WEAC's Innovation Factory and Digital Freelancers Accelerator programs.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/weaczambia
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCDw4PLUx1suxmY_ej_4RpcQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/weaczambia
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/weac-zambia

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about WEAC ZAMBIA