A peer-to-peer online marketplace where African entrepreneurs can obtain help from global business experts for free has been launched by founder network VC4Africa.

Dubbed ‘Mentorship Marketplace’, the website portal plans to help entrepreneurs seek advice on how to grow their business in Africa with the help of a pool of dedicated mentors.

Business experts on the Mentorship Marketplace dedicate their time, network and expertise free of charge, says VC4Africa.

VC4Africa adds that after a match is made through the portal, dialogue between ‘mentor’ and ‘entrepreneur’ kicks off via communication mediums such as email, phone, Skype or messenger.

To place a request the entrepreneur also has to have a good business plan and related documents, says VC4Africa.

David van Dijk, head of entrepreneurship development at VC4Africa, says in a statement: “When an entrepreneur faces a challenge we are convinced there are members within the VC4Africa network who have the answers and are willing to lend their insight, expertise and experience.”

VC4Africa says that as a community of entrepreneurs and investors it has more than 10,000 members in more than 159 countries.

VC4Africa also says that entrepreneurs have raised more than a $1 million in funding through its initiatives.