Robert Coen, MD, Amazon Sub-Saharan Africa. (Image supplied)
Amazon South Africa and Women's Accelerator vomhub have selected 35 women entrepreneurs from across South Africa to participate in the first edition of Amazon Sustainable Sellers Incubator.
The Accelerator is a newly-introduced sustainability-focused incubator founded by two organizations that aims to strengthen women-led manufacturing businesses.
With participants already selected, applications for this group are no longer open.
The selected group forms part of a nine-month programme, which starts next month and is designed to help participants build environmentally-responsible, globally competitive enterprises.
35 women-led businesses will undergo structured training that integrates core business competencies as well as circular economy principles, sustainable product design, ethical sourcing and environmentally conscious operations.
The program will also focus on digital Skill development, market access and sustainable development.
The program reflects the growing emphasis on incorporating environmental responsibility into business strategyOrganizations say, especially for SMEs looking to penetrate global markets.
Robert Coen, Amazon MD Sub-Saharan Africa, says: “By empowering South African women entrepreneurs to build businesses rooted in environmental responsibility from day one, we are not just supporting individual success – we are contributing to a more sustainable future that benefits communities and the planet.
“This incubator demonstrates our commitment to enabling the next generation of South African vendors to grow and compete globally.”
In addition to sustainability training, selected participants will receive business development support ranging from financial management, marketing, quality control and e-commerce enablement.
The program also includes one-on-one mentoring and access to funding mechanisms, such as grant funding and low-interest loans to support long-term, sustainable development.
(Image) Amazon VomHub Sustainable Sellers
(Caption) Some selected participants of the Amazon Sustainable Sellers Incubator. (Image supplied)
A key component of the incubator is to get the group onboarded on Amazon's digital marketplace. Participants will receive guidance on navigating the Seller Center, customizing product listings, managing catalogs, and leveraging Fulfillment by Amazon services, all while maintaining their commitment to sustainable production practices.
The program provides access to co-working spaces and innovation hubs in Johannesburg, Cape Town and East London, enabling collaboration and operational scaling between selected businesses.
WomHub, which has supported women entrepreneurs in science, technology, engineering and manufacturing sectors since 2006, brings experience of delivering incubators and accelerators in 33 countries.
Nadia Moosaji, Chief Innovation Officer and Co-Founder of VomHub, comments: “This announcement (of the inaugural edition) represents our vision for the future of South African entrepreneurship.
“We are proving that sustainability and profitability go hand in hand. By equipping female entrepreneurs with both business skills and environmental consciousness, we are building a new generation of South African brands that compete globally while protecting our planet for future generations.”
Amazon says the initiative underlines a broader shift in the digital economy, where sustainability is increasingly being established as a key driver of business success, especially for emerging market enterprises looking to expand internationally.
According to Amazon, the opening of applications for the next group will be announced in due course.
To learn more about the Amazon Sustainable Seller Incubator, visit website.