Montreal: FREE CIFA Program for Black Community Women Entrepreneurs

Montreal, QC – The energy was palpable during Chafrique’s back-to-business cocktail event, marking the beginning of the Winter 2025 session. Organized in a warm and festive atmosphere, this evening brought together community members, Afro-descendant women entrepreneurs, and several local dignitaries with the aim of encouraging, motivating, and supporting women engaged in entrepreneurship.

After a vibrant introduction – “Are you ready? And we’re going to eat!” – the evening opened on a friendly note, punctuated by applause and music. The message was clear: this is only the beginning.

Enrique Machado, city councillor for the City of Montreal, Verdun borough, took the floor to acknowledge the fundamental impact of Chafrique on the integration of newcomers.

“The work done by Chafrique is a fundamental pillar for new residents of Verdun. I myself experienced it 15 years ago when I arrived in Quebec. A similar community organization helped me integrate professionally and in my life in general here.”

This personal testimony highlighted the importance of community organizations like Chafrique in the social fabric of Montreal.

Boba Aïda, entrepreneurship advisor at Chafrique, presented in detail the SIFA program (Centre for Innovation for Afro-Women Entrepreneurs), a fully free support system.

“The SIFA program offers training, coaching, and support for women who are starting a business or who already own one in Canada.”

On this occasion, Chafrique unveiled the main features of its winter session, including the launch of the February 5 cohort dedicated to women in the startup phase. This program aims to strengthen entrepreneurial capacities, with a particular focus on developing strong business plans – a key element for accessing grants and funding.

All Afro-descendant women who wish to start a business are strongly encouraged to register and take advantage of the resources offered by Chafrique.

Chafrique thus continues to position itself as an agent of change and transformation, serving the economic empowerment of Afro-descendant women in Quebec. This back-to-business cocktail not only marked the beginning of a new year but also the start of many inspiring journeys to come.