Nigerian Women Founders Can Win $10K Grants by May 8

Twelve women running tech businesses in Nigeria walked into an accelerator last year with working products but limited resources. They walked out having reached 16,000 customers, created 430 jobs, and generated $2.7 million in revenue.

Now the Women in Tech Accelerator is opening its doors again. Applications close May 8, 2026.

The 12-week program, led by Standard Chartered Foundation with Village Capital and the Enterprise Development Centre, targets women building real solutions. These aren't theoretical startups but working businesses that help farmers reduce losses, make healthcare more accessible, or bring small businesses online.

Every selected founder receives a $10,000 equity-free grant. That means no ownership traded, no strings attached, just capital to grow.

But the money is just the starting point. The accelerator pairs funding with practical training in strategy and operations, mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs, and access to networks that can unlock partnerships and future investment.

The program acknowledges what many Nigerian entrepreneurs already know. Capital matters, but so does having someone who's walked the path before. So does knowing who to call when you hit a wall.

Last year's results prove the model works. The same constraints that hold back countless talented founders, limited funding, narrow networks, time poverty, didn't disappear. But with the right support, they became manageable.

The Ripple Effect

When women entrepreneurs succeed, the impact spreads far beyond their balance sheets. The 430 jobs created by last year's cohort mean 430 families with more stability. The 16,000 customers reached mean thousands of people accessing better tools, services, or solutions they didn't have before.

This isn't charity. It's investment in proven builders who happen to face systemic barriers. The accelerator simply levels the playing field so talent can do what it does best: deliver results.

The application window is narrow, but that's by design. The program wants founders ready to move fast, scale smart, and turn traction into sustainable growth.

If you're a woman running a tech-enabled business in Nigeria, the deadline is May 8 and the application is at reg.smetoolkit.africa/witi7.