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Academy of Women Entrepreneurs Senegal
- Oumar
- Senegal
- February 1, 2026
Situation
The Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) in Senegal—an initiative supported by USAID—was designed to strengthen women’s economic empowerment by equipping aspiring and early-stage entrepreneurs with practical business skills, mentorship and growth opportunities. Although Senegal has a vibrant entrepreneurial spirit, structural barriers such as limited access to finance, gender norms, market constraints and gaps in business management skills hinder many women from scaling their ventures.
Assignment
As the project’s innovation coach, the mandate was to apply Human-Centered Design methods to build the capacity of women entrepreneurs. This included facilitating learning spaces, mentoring participants, and tailoring support to the realities and ambitions of Senegal’s entrepreneurial women.
The overall goal was to embed an HCD mindset within the AWE cohort, enabling women to become confident innovators and resilient business leaders.
Approach
Using HCD principles of empathy, iteration, and collaboration, the program delivered interactive workshops and personalised coaching. Entrepreneurs explored user needs, mapped challenges, and identified growth opportunities. Co-creation sessions enabled them to design and refine business solutions grounded in real customer insights while fostering a supportive peer environment.
Result
Women entrepreneurs developed stronger business concepts, improved strategic thinking, and expanded professional networks. The HCD-led process increased confidence, sparked innovation, and contributed to a more resilient entrepreneurial ecosystem—advancing long-term economic empowerment for women in Senegal.