As digital tools become essential to business growth, so too do the risks that accompany them. For many small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), particularly those led by emerging entrepreneurs, cybersecurity can seem complex, technical, and expensive. A partnership between the Cyber Readiness Institute (CRI) and the African Women Entrepreneurship Cooperative (AWEC) is working to change that, bringing practical, accessible cybersecurity resources to women entrepreneurs across Africa.
Through this collaboration, AWEC’s 2026 cohort of founders and business leaders launching in May will be required to participate in CRI’s Cyber Readiness Program, a self-paced program designed specifically for SMBs. The program focuses on basic, yet high-impact human behavior practices such as strengthening password security, recognizing phishing attempts, maintaining up-to-date software, and handling sensitive data securely. By embedding this program into AWEC’s broader curriculum, the initiative ensures that cybersecurity is treated not as an afterthought, but as a core business capability.
This approach reflects a growing recognition that cyber readiness is no longer simply an IT issue; it is a fundamental component of operational resilience. Entrepreneurs who understand how to protect their systems, data, and customer relationships are better positioned to sustain growth, build trust, and navigate an increasingly digital marketplace. AWEC plans to expand access to the Cyber Readiness Program across its broader network of approximately 1,600 members.
“Small and midsize businesses are increasingly on the front lines of cyber risk, yet they often lack access to practical, actionable guidance,” said Sasha Pailet Koff, Managing Director of the Cyber Readiness Institute. “By partnering with AWEC, we are equipping women entrepreneurs with the tools and confidence they need to make cybersecurity part of how they run their businesses every day—not as a technical burden, but as a business enabler.”
In parallel with the broader program rollout, AWEC is identifying a select group of participants to become Certified Cyber Coaches. These individuals will receive additional instruction and hands-on experience, equipping them to support their peers throughout the program. Their role is both practical and strategic, reinforcing key lessons, helping fellow entrepreneurs implement cybersecurity best practices, and guiding them toward completion of the program and Playbook verification.
While completion of the Cyber Readiness Program is mandatory, participation in Coach support, Playbook completion, and verification will be optional. The first phase of this project will train 15 AWEC alumni to become Certified Cyber Coaches, with completion expected in early May.
“This initiative is about more than training. It’s about building leadership and shared accountability within our community,” said Dawn Leaness, Managing Director of AWEC. “By developing Certified Cyber Coaches from within our own network, we are creating trusted guides who can translate cybersecurity into everyday business practices and help other entrepreneurs take meaningful action. That peer support is what makes the impact scalable and sustainable.”
This peer-based model is designed to extend impact far beyond the initial cohort. By cultivating in-network expertise, CRI and AWEC are creating a multiplier effect: each trained coach becomes a resource not only for their immediate peers, but for their wider business communities. Over time, this builds a distributed network of cybersecurity advocates who can drive awareness, adoption, and resilience at scale.
As cyber threats continue to evolve, initiatives like this demonstrate that meaningful progress does not require complexity; it requires accessibility, relevance, and community. By meeting entrepreneurs where they are and equipping them with practical skills, CRI and AWEC are helping ensure that growth and security go hand in hand. The result is not just stronger individual businesses, but a more resilient entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Both CRI and AWEC are initiatives of the Center for Global Enterprise.
