The Ministry of Gender awarded grants to 249 women entrepreneurs today in Juba under the SSWSEEP program, marking a major step toward economic empowerment.
The signing ceremony, hosted by the Ministry of Gender, Child, and Social Welfare (MGCSW), marks a significant step toward economic independence and enterprise-driven growth for women across the country.
Beneficiaries of the Seed Lab received grants ranging from $2,000 to $4,000, while Growth Lab participants were awarded between $15,000 and $50,000 to scale their businesses.
This cohort joins the first wave of women benefiting from the Women Entrepreneurial Opportunity Facility (WEOF), implemented by UN Women in partnership with the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and Open Capital Advisors (OCA).
The program combines financial support with intensive training, including a Boot Camp and a 10-module Accelerator Program, equipping participants with advanced business skills, financial literacy, and market strategies.
Speaking at the event, Esther Ikere Eluzai, Undersecretary of MGCSW, emphasized that the initiative is about more than grants: “We are rewriting the social contract. Economic empowerment of women is the backbone of national growth. This project moves women from dependency to independence.”
The ceremony was filled with emotion as beneficiaries shared personal journeys of perseverance.
Adut Jervase, representing Growth Lab recipients, described the challenges and triumphs of the rigorous selection process, while Seed Lab entrepreneur Dorrisilla Keji pledged to use the grants effectively to grow her business.
Mr. Richard Orengo, IRC Country Director, highlighted the wider impact: “Supporting women entrepreneurs creates jobs, boosts communities, and drives long-term economic growth.”
With these grants, 249 women entrepreneurs are now positioned to expand their businesses, employ others, and contribute meaningfully to South Sudan’s economy, signaling a new era of women-led enterprise in the country.
