Published: March 4, 2026
MONROVIA, Liberia — In a strong show of partnership aimed at expanding opportunities for women entrepreneurs, the Jewel Starfish Foundation (JSF), SATEC Liberia, and the Center for Public-Private Development (CEPDEV), in collaboration with the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), hosted an intensive Entrepreneurial Readiness and Grant Access Support Initiative in Monrovia.
The four-hour hands-on training, held at the Jewel Starfish Foundation headquarters in Congo Town, brought together 30 women-led businesses from across the capital seeking to access the prestigious Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme.
The continental initiative supports African entrepreneurs through funding, business training, mentorship and access to global networks.
Empowering Women Entrepreneurs
Opening the session, Pekay Nyepon, executive director of the Jewel Starfish Foundation, welcomed participants and stressed the importance of empowering young people — particularly women and girls — to build sustainable businesses.
“This program is not just about funding,” Nyepon said. “It is about building sustainable businesses that transform families, communities and the nation.”
Providing an overview of the initiative, Elkana Vah, head of communication at CEPDEV, highlighted the significance of collaboration among local institutions in unlocking international opportunities for Liberian entrepreneurs.
He noted that strategic partnerships among development actors can play a key role in helping local businesses access global funding and mentorship platforms.
Technical Guidance on TEF Application Process
The technical training was led by John McCauley Jr., founder and team lead of SATEC Liberia and a Tony Elumelu Foundation alumnus. Drawing on his personal experience with the program, McCauley guided participants through the TEF online application portal.
His presentation covered eligibility requirements, selection procedures and the key sections of the application process, including personal information, business profile and the core business proposition.
McCauley also highlighted common pitfalls encountered by Liberian applicants, outlining the five most frequent mistakes entrepreneurs make during the application process and offering strategies to avoid them.
Participants were also introduced to practical techniques for developing strong and competitive proposals capable of standing out in the highly competitive TEF selection process.
Mentorship and Business Development Sessions
The workshop included breakout mentoring sessions designed to strengthen participants’ business concepts and financial planning.
Discussions focused on clarifying business ideas, demonstrating social impact and scalability, and presenting realistic financial projections to improve the viability of business proposals.
Organizers said the sessions were intended to ensure that entrepreneurs not only submit applications but do so with well-developed business models and clear growth strategies.
About the Tony Elumelu Foundation Programme
The Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme annually selects thousands of entrepreneurs from across 54 African countries.
Selected entrepreneurs receive a $5,000 non-refundable seed grant, 12 weeks of intensive online business training, one-on-one mentorship from experienced business leaders, and access to international networking opportunities.
Beneficiaries also receive continuous support through TEFConnect, the foundation’s digital platform designed to connect entrepreneurs, investors and mentors across the continent.
The program supports ventures in sectors critical to Africa’s economic development, including agriculture, technology, healthcare, manufacturing, services and the creative industries.
Participants Welcome Practical Support
Participants described the training as timely and impactful, particularly for early-stage startups struggling to secure funding.
For many entrepreneurs in Liberia, access to seed capital remains a major challenge, making initiatives that provide application guidance and mentorship especially valuable.
“This is the kind of guidance we have been searching for,” one participant said during the interactive question-and-answer session.
Organizers Encourage Collaboration
In closing remarks, Abraham Varney, founder and team lead of CEPDEV, commended participants for their commitment and active engagement throughout the session.
He encouraged young entrepreneurs to embrace collaboration, pointing to the partnership among JSF, SATEC Liberia and CEPDEV as an example of how collective efforts can expand opportunities for Liberian businesses.
“Growth happens faster when we work together,” Varney said.
At the end of the session, participants received certificates of participation and engaged in networking activities aimed at building long-term partnerships and peer support among emerging entrepreneurs.
Call for Broader Support
The organizers are calling on female entrepreneurs across Liberia to connect and prepare for future training sessions. They also urged private sector actors and development partners to support women-led enterprises and strengthen grant-access ecosystems across the country.
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