The SheConnects Digital Accelerator: Africa is now accepting applications for its 2026 cohort.
This high-impact accelerator, led by CARE and the GSMA Foundation with support from the Gates Foundation, seeks to scale proven digital solutions that enable women and girls in Sub-Saharan Africa to fully participate in the digital world.
Selected organizations will receive grants of USD 500,000 to USD 1 Million, 18 months of implementation support, mentorship, south-south learning with innovators from India, and access to a powerful network of global partners.
If your organization is already creating meaningful impact for women and girls through digital tools and can reach at least 50,000 women users in 18 months, this is a transformative opportunity to scale your solution across Africa.
SheConnects Digital Accelerator Program Summary
| Opportunity Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Organization | CARE & GSMA Foundation (Supported by Gates Foundation) |
| Programme / Job Title | SheConnects Digital Accelerator Program 2026 |
| Type | Accelerator & Grant Programme |
| Grant Amount | USD 500,000 – USD 1 Million per organization |
| Duration | 18 Months |
| Geographic Focus | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| Application Deadline | July 8, 2026 (11:59 PM EDT) |
About the SheConnects Digital Accelerator
The SheConnects Digital Accelerator: Africa aims to strengthen evidence on what works for women and girls’ digital inclusion, foster south-to-south learning, and help shape a more inclusive global digital ecosystem. By catalysing innovative partnerships and use cases in Sub-Saharan Africa, the programme supports organizations scaling high-impact digital solutions that improve women and girls’ lives, livelihoods, and opportunities. The accelerator is particularly focused on digital technologies that address barriers in access, skills, safety, and economic participation.
SheConnects Digital Accelerator Program Requirements
Eligible applicants include:
- Non-profit organizations, NGOs, civil society organizations, and community-based organizations
- Mission-driven for-profit enterprises
- Academic institutions
- Structured collaborative partnerships or consortia
Key Eligibility Criteria
- The proposed initiative must be implemented entirely within Sub-Saharan Africa
- Organizations may submit only one application as the lead entity
- Must demonstrate a credible pathway to reach and positively impact at least 50,000 women users within the 18-month implementation period
- Government agencies, multilateral organizations, and individual applicants are not eligible as lead applicants
Programme Benefits
Selected organizations will receive:
- Transformative Capital: Grants ranging from USD 500,000 to USD 1 Million (no repayment required)
- Extended Runway: 18 months to localize, deploy, iterate, and scale solutions
- South-South Learning: Collaboration and knowledge exchange with innovators from Africa and India
- Global Credibility: Validation and visibility from CARE, GSMA Foundation, and the Gates Foundation, opening doors to future funding and partnerships
- Peer learning, mentorship, and access to a powerful ecosystem of digital inclusion experts
SheConnects Digital Accelerator Program Portal
Applications must be submitted through the official SheConnects Digital Accelerator portal. Prepare a strong proposal that clearly demonstrates your solution’s impact on women and girls, scalability potential, and alignment with the programme’s objectives.
Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for the next stage of the selection process.
