ECOWAS Opens Applications for Young Entrepreneurs in Ghana with Grants of Up to USD 15,000
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has officially opened applications for the ECOWAS Youth Entrepreneurship Programme (EYEP), inviting young entrepreneurs from Ghana and six other West African countries to apply for funding, mentorship, and business development support.
The programme is being implemented by the ECOWAS Youth and Sports Development Centre (EYSDC) under the ECOWAS Youth and Women Entrepreneurship Programme (EYWEP), with technical and financial support from AUDA-NEPAD. It aims to empower young entrepreneurs by providing capacity building, technical assistance, mentoring, networking opportunities, and access to business support services.
Who Can Apply?
Applications are open to young entrepreneurs who:
- Are 18 to 35 years old.
- Are nationals or residents of one of the programme’s seven pilot countries.
- Already own or operate an existing business, whether formal or informal.
- Have a start-up or business that needs support to grow or become more sustainable.
The pilot countries are:
- 🇬🇭 Ghana
- 🇧🇯 Benin
- 🇨🇮 Côte d’Ivoire
- 🇬🇲 The Gambia
- 🇬🇼 Guinea-Bissau
- 🇸🇳 Senegal
- 🇸🇱 Sierra Leone
Eligible Business Sectors
Businesses must operate in one of the following priority areas:
- Pharmaceutical industry
- Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
- Solar and renewable energy
- Agrosilvopastoral activities and agricultural value chains
What Selected Entrepreneurs Will Receive
Successful applicants will benefit from:
- Business and entrepreneurship training
- Technical and managerial support
- One-on-one mentoring
- Business management support
- Networking and visibility opportunities
- Connections to financing institutions and business partners
- Support to strengthen and expand their businesses
The best projects from each participating country will also compete for financial awards:
🥇 First Place: USD 15,000
🥈 Second Place: USD 10,000
🥉 Third Place: USD 5,000
🏆 Best Regional Business Plan Award: USD 5,000
Required Application Documents
Applicants must submit:
- An up-to-date Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- A copy of a valid national ID
- A presentation of their business or economic activity
- A simplified business plan or business model
- A projected financial plan
- Legal registration documents (where applicable)
- Any additional supporting documents that strengthen the application
All documents must be combined into one PDF file before submission.
How to Apply
Applicants from Ghana should email their complete application to:
Email Subject:
EYWEP Program Application – Existing Businesses
Application Deadline
📅 16 July 2026
🕚 11:59 PM GMT
Why This Matters
Access to funding, mentorship, and business development support remains one of the biggest challenges facing young entrepreneurs across West Africa. Through the ECOWAS Youth Entrepreneurship Programme, promising business owners can receive the training, networks, and financial support needed to strengthen their enterprises, create jobs, and contribute to economic growth within the region.
Read More & Apply
Interested applicants can access the official call for applications, download the complete application guidelines, and review all eligibility requirements through the ECOWAS Youth and Sports Development Centre’s official portal.
🔗 Official Call for Applications:
https://eywep.cdjscedeao.org/fr/ressources/13
Young entrepreneurs in Ghana who already have an operational business are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity before the application deadline.
