ECOWAS is the implementing agency for Component 1.

ECOWAS, with the support of theECREEE and the Project Fund Manager (PFM), is responsible for carrying out technical assistance activities (market research,
quality assurance, business development, policy and regulatory support, and consumer awareness-raising activities). ECOWAS is also responsible for monitoring and evaluating project implementation activities.
Through the PFM, the ROGEAP will provide tailored support to businesses throughout their development lifecycle (start-up, early stage, growth and maturity).

The project will provide essential financial support to promising start-up and growth-stage businesses classified as Phase 1 (start-up) or Phase 2 (early-stage) by theROGEAP, in line with the business lifecycle. The funding will take the form of a matching grant and will be available
to businesses in Phase 1, primarily, and to certain businesses in Phase 2, up to a maximum of US$25,000.

The company must provide co-financing amounting to twenty-five per cent (25 per cent) of the grant amount from its own funds. Acceptable co-funding includes the company’s own investment, private investors, loans or other cash contributions. The total amount of funding grants may not be increased during the course of the project.
The co-funding grant will run for 12 months. The grant aims to help entrepreneurs:

• (i) to develop viable business or product ideas,
• (ii) to develop and test products,
• (iii) to test new business models in the market. They will then be in a position to conduct business that will enable them to progress through the business cycle towards maturity.

The ROGEAP will also provide two types of grants, as follows: Market entry grants and performance-based grants to established businesses (at the start-up, growth and maturity stages) in countries eligible for funding from the FCT and the DGIS and operating in challenging market environments
, such as the Sahel countries.

The Market Entry Grant: To support their entry into a new market (deemed commercially viable but involving first-mover risk), market entry grants will be offered to businesses in Phase 2 or 3. This funding could amount to up to US$150,000 to help these companies enter new markets.

Every company receiving a market entry grant will be required to provide a certain level of co-funding in the form of a contribution in cash or in kind. The contribution should amount to up to 50 per cent of the total grant amount in order to demonstrate the company’s commitment.

Performance-based grants: To support business activity in challenging markets (those not considered commercially viable), performance-based grants will be offered to companies in Phase 2 or 3. This funding could amount to up to US$250,000 to assist these companies in challenging markets.