EY SDG Accelerator Targets Women-Led AI Solutions in Africa
TLDR
- African women entrepreneurs using AI for social impact can now apply to the EY SDG Accelerator
- The programme aims to scale AI-driven solutions aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals
- The six-month initiative, led by Ernst & Young, will select five women-led startups from Africa, Latin America, and South/Southeast Asia
African women entrepreneurs using AI for social impact can now apply to the EY SDG Accelerator. The programme aims to scale AI-driven solutions aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on inclusive finance, climate resilience, and community development.
The six-month initiative, led by Ernst & Young, will select five women-led startups from Africa, Latin America, and South/Southeast Asia. Eligible ventures must be leveraging responsible AI practices to address issues such as climate change, food insecurity, and economic inequality.
Participants will receive tailored support, including a dedicated EY business coach, technical workshops, and access to a global network of investors and corporate partners. The programme also offers regular peer calls, promotional opportunities, and invitations to select events.
The accelerator prioritizes impact ventures using AI to solve systemic problems across the Global South. Applications close on June 15 and are open to early-stage businesses seeking to scale. EY is positioning this initiative as part of its broader strategy to drive sustainable development and inclusive innovation through technology and entrepreneurship.
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Key Takeaways
Access to venture funding for women in Africa remains limited. In 2023, only 2% of VC funding in Africa went to all-women founding teams, according to Partech Partners. At the same time, AI adoption is accelerating, with use cases in agriculture, health, fintech, and climate adaptation gaining traction. The EY SDG Accelerator offers an opportunity to bridge both gaps by enabling women-led AI solutions to scale with global support. This is critical in regions like sub-Saharan Africa, where women play a central role in agriculture and informal economies but face systemic barriers in accessing capital, networks, and technology. Programmes like EY’s can help shift that by providing structured business support and investor exposure. By combining AI innovation with gender-inclusive entrepreneurship, the initiative contributes to closing the digital divide while delivering solutions tailored to underserved communities. With climate and inequality challenges rising, the intersection of gender, AI, and impact investment is increasingly relevant.
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