The US Embassy in Kingston has partnered with the Youth for Development Network (YFDN) to launch the 2025 Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) Jamaica Program on Wednesday, July 23.

The initiative, now entering its fourth cohort, serves to equip women with the knowledge, networks, and tools to build and scale sustainable businesses across the island, to drive transformative impact. To date, the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs Jamaica has empowered over 100 women from both urban and rural communities, equipping them with critical interpersonal and entrepreneurial skills, robust business plans, and seed funding.

Addressing members of the fourth cohort at the official launch event, Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Ann-Marie Chiappetta said, “What you do with this opportunity matters. It matters to your future, your families, your parishes, your country, and to enhancing the partnership between Jamaica and the United States.”

Since inception, more than 75 per cent of participants in the programme have successfully scaled their businesses, and as a result they have generated jobs and contributed to local economic growth.

This year’s launch brings together leaders from the US Embassy, the Jamaican business community, and international development partners – all united by a shared vision to drive inclusive economic growth through women’s entrepreneurship.

For the 2025 instalment, AWE Jamaica will support 30 women from Kingston and Hanover through a six-month blended learning experience.

“Your innovation and ingenuity are exactly what our global ecosystem needs. Let your entrepreneurial spirit carry you as far as your imagination can go – even the global stage. The next stage of your journey begins today,” Chiappetta encouraged.

Lucy Kingsley, international director for Youth for Development Network (YFDN) said, “The 2025 launch of AWE Jamaica marks more than a program—it is a powerful signal of what’s possible when the US Embassy, local partners, and the private sector align to invest in women’s entrepreneurship. Together, we are equipping women with the tools, networks, and confidence to lead in the digital economy, build resilient businesses, and uplift their communities. This partnership affirms our shared commitment to sustainable growth and inclusive economic opportunity.”

The AWE initiative aligns with the US Government’s wider Women’s Global Development and Prosperity (W-GDP) goals, supporting financial independence and entrepreneurship among women globally. The programme integrates the globally acclaimed DreamBuilder course—developed by Arizona State University’s Thunderbird School of Global Management—with customised workshops, team-building activities, psychosocial support, mentorship, and seed funding opportunities.

The US Embassy in Kingston, through AWE Jamaica, remains committed to uplifting underserved and first-time entrepreneurs, especially those from under-resourced or rural backgrounds, and aims to foster inclusive economic development and long-term sustainability. Locally, YFDN continues to champion youth and women’s empowerment by building pathways into innovation, employment, and enterprise development.