Her Africa Early Stage Incubator Program 2026 for Social Entrepreneurs

The Her Africa Early Stage Incubator (HAESI) is a liberatory leadership fellowship for founders under 35 who are advancing gender justice across Africa,  supporting them to dismantle barriers, build alliances, and reshape the systems that define impact.

The HAESI program is designed to empower young leaders of organisations focused on addressing social issues impacting women and girls in Africa. It offers an opportunity to build the leadership they need to enable them access resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities to enhance organisational capacity and impact.

About The HAESI Program

Across the continent, a generation of bold gender justice leaders are building change from the ground up.
They lead early-stage organisations and ventures rooted in their communities.
But too often, they do it alone, within systems that were never built for them.

• Leadership models replicate the same hierarchies they seek to undo.
• Programmes reward investor readiness, not systemic resilience.
• Founders burn out before their ideas can reach full influence.

HAESI exists to change that.

We believe that when leaders connect, think differently, and act collectively, they begin to transform not just their organisations,  but the systems around them

Eligibility Criteria

Social entrepreneurs under 35 years old, ready to move from technical problem-solving to systems-level transformation.

Must have initiated an organisation or social project not more than three years old supporting women and girls in an African country. Exceptional social entrepreneurs at ideation stage are encouraged to apply

The organisation or idea must be addressing critical social issues such as education, health, gender equality, environmental sustainability, and poverty alleviation, specifically for women and girls.

Key Benefits for Participants

The Incubator Program aim to improve the leadership and management skills of participants

They will also have acess to personalised coaching

peer-learning workshops

Access networking opportunities that equips you to navigate social challenges effectively

Build partnerships, secure funding, and achieve sustainable impact.

Application Details

When you should apply: It’s ending soon

Where to Apply: The HAESI Program webpage

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