Standard Chartered Foundation (the Foundation), together with Village Capital and Enterprise Development Centre, Pan-Atlantic University announced it is accepting applications for the 2026 Women in Tech Accelerator for Nigeria.
Now in its seventh cohort, the 2026 Women in Tech Accelerator will build on last year’s success, empowering women-led, tech-enabled startups to scale and create positive impact in their communities.
In many fast-growing emerging economies, women are launching innovative, tech-enabled businesses that respond to community and market needs. Yet many early-stage entrepreneurs face ecosystems designed for rapid scale rather than sustainable enterprise building, limiting their ability to develop resilient business models, create quality jobs, and deliver long-term impact.
The Women in Tech Accelerator prorgamme is designed to address that growth gap by providing catalytic grant funding, structured business training, and tailored mentorship to equip entrepreneurs with the tools, networks, and confidence needed to build resilient, revenue-generating enterprises that create jobs and deliver lasting economic and social impact.
In the programme’s previous year, empowered by the training and support they received, this cohort created a positive impact in their businesses and communities.
The 2025 cohort across various markets collectively:
A new year of impact
More than USD600,000 in grant funding for entrepreneurs in the 2026 cohort will be distributed across 12 markets: Bahrain, Botswana, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia*, South Africa*, UAE, Uganda, and Zambia.
Joke Adu, Country Head of Corporate Affairs, Brand and Marketing at Standard Chartered in Nigeria said:“Persistent inequalities in Nigeria and across the region continue to limit the growth of women-led businesses. Yet we know that empowering women is critical to economic growth and to driving the prosperity of entire communities. In continued partnership with Village Capital and with support from implementing partner Enterprise Development Centre,Pan-Atlantic University, the Women in Tech Accelerator exists to help drive meaningful change towards inclusion. After last year’s success, we look forward to seeing the positive impact the 2026 cohort will make in their businesses and communities.”
Yazmin Jumaali, Senior Program Manager at Village Capital said:“In 2025, 71 women-led startups in the programme grew their businesses and collectively generated over USD 2 million in additional revenue. This demonstrates that when founders have access to structured, locally embedded support and catalytic funding, they can strengthen their strategies, engage investors confidently, and unlock sustainable impact. In 2026, we’re continuing to create the conditions for even more women-led startups to thrive and positively impact their communities.”
Dr. Nneka Okekearu, Director, Enterprise Development Centre, Pan-Atlantic Universitysaid: “The insights from the various 2025 markets speak for itself; nearly 16,000 new customers, over 430 jobs created, and USD 2.7 million in additional revenue. This is what happens when women-led businesses are given the right tools, funding, and support. At EDC, we have always known that women do not just participate in the tech ecosystem, they lead it. The Women in Tech Accelerator is proof of that. As we open applications for our seventh cohort, we are more committed than ever to finding and supporting the next generation of women founders who will drive innovation and lasting impact across Nigeria and beyond.”
Commenting on her 2025 involvement, Women in Tech alumna, Chinwendu Augustina Nweke, Founder & CEO, Bridge Merchant, based in Nigeria, said: “The Women in Tech Accelerator transformed the future of our business – far beyond my hopes and expectations. While the funding was important in enabling us to scale, it is the wrap-around support that has given my team and myself the confidence we needed to thrive.”
Women-startup founders from the Nigeria are invited to apply now, with applications closing on April 26, 2026. Successful applicants will participate in the Accelerator between June 2026 and August 2026 this year.
