Women in LeadershipWomen Entrepreneurs: Enterprise Development and Access to Finance
Women own a large share of African businesses and receive a small share of business finance, and the gap is explained less by the businesses than by collateral rules, record keeping and the way a proposal is presented. This course addresses what can be changed. Delegates work through business model and margin, because a lender funds a business that works rather than an idea, and the financial records that make a business fundable. Funding options are compared realistically: bank credit, microfinance, development finance, grants, supplier credit and equity, each with what it actually demands. Proposal and pitch preparation are practised. The course closes on supplier development and procurement access, and on growing without losing control.
Course objectives
- Test a business model and understand where its margin comes from
- Keep financial records that make a business fundable
- Compare funding options and what each actually demands
- Address collateral and security constraints realistically
- Prepare a funding proposal and pitch it
- Access corporate and public procurement through supplier development
- Grow the business without losing control of it
Who should attend
- Women business owners and founders
- Women in cooperatives and small enterprises
- Enterprise and supplier development programme staff
- Business advisers and incubator staff
- Development agency and finance institution staff
Course outline
- 01Where the finance gap actually comes from
- 02Business model and margin
- 03Financial records that make a business fundable
- 04Bank credit, microfinance and development finance
- 05Grants, supplier credit and equity
- 06Collateral and security constraints
- 07Proposals, pitching and lender questions
- 08Supplier development, procurement access and controlled growth
Scheduled sessions
| Dates | Venue | Format | Price | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 to 14 October 2026 | Durban, South Africa | Classroom | R14,950 per delegate | Register Now |
| 26 to 28 October 2026 | Cape Town, South Africa | Classroom | R14,950 per delegate | Register Now |
| 18 to 20 January 2027 | Online | Online | R6,500 per delegate | Register Now |