COMPETITION AND MENTORSHIP PROGRAMME : 2026 KPMG Female Founders in Africa Competition

Popular

COMPETITION AND MENTORSHIP PROGRAMME : 2026 KPMG Female Founders in Africa Competition

Applications are open for the 2026 KPMG Female Founders in Africa Competition, a prestigious continental programme created to recognise, support, and elevate high-potential women entrepreneurs who are building innovative and scalable businesses across Africa. Organised by KPMG Advisory Services Limited, this initiative provides a powerful platform for female founders to present their ventures to industry leaders, investors, and business experts while gaining mentorship, exposure, and strategic guidance. The competition is designed not only to celebrate women’s leadership in business but also to strengthen the African startup ecosystem by helping promising enterprises unlock growth opportunities, partnerships, and long-term sustainability.

Through regional and continental pitch events, selected founders will showcase their solutions, connect with experienced advisors, and join a growing community of women entrepreneurs shaping the future of innovation in Africa. The programme is ideal for ambitious founders who are ready to scale their ventures, attract investment, and gain credibility through association with a globally recognised professional services brand.

Scroll down for more details and click on the official link to apply.

Host Institution

KPMG Advisory Services Limited

Program Type

Fully Funded

Program Benefits

To be considered for the competition, applicants must be women who are founders, co-founders, or primary decision-makers in their businesses, with clear ownership and leadership responsibilities. The business must be legally registered as a separate entity in an eligible African country and must have been actively operating for at least one year with a proven product or service already in the market. Ventures should demonstrate innovation and scalability and are expected to be tech-enabled, tech-driven, or leverage technology as a key part of their business model or operations.

Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and residents of the country where they apply. Because the competition includes regional and continental pitching events, participants should be available to attend these engagements either virtually or in person. All presentations and competition activities are conducted in English, so applicants should be comfortable pitching and communicating effectively in English. Businesses that are majority-owned by large corporations are not eligible, as the programme is focused on supporting independent startups and growth-stage enterprises led by women.

Eligibility Criteria

Participants in the competition benefit from far more than just the chance to pitch. Selected founders receive structured mentorship and advisory support from KPMG professionals and experienced business leaders who provide insights into strategy, finance, operations, and scaling. This guidance can help founders refine their business models, strengthen governance, and improve investor readiness.

The competition also offers significant visibility, profiling participants through KPMG’s regional and continental networks, which can open doors to new partnerships, customers, and collaborators. Founders gain access to investor connections, deal-making opportunities, and ecosystem engagements that can accelerate funding and growth. In addition, the experience of pitching at regional and Africa-wide events helps entrepreneurs build confidence, polish their storytelling skills, and position their businesses competitively within the market. Overall, the programme provides invaluable exposure, learning, and networking opportunities that can have a lasting impact on both the founder and the venture.

Eligible Countries

The competition is open to female-led businesses registered and operating in the following countries:

Southern Africa: Botswana, Mauritius, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique

West Africa: Nigeria, Ghana

East Africa: Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda

Applicants must apply from and be legally registered in one of these countries.

Application Procedure

Click the official link below to apply for this opportunity

Official Link

https://kpmg.com/ke/en/insights/2026/01/2026-kpmg-female-founders-in-africa-competition.html