As Nigeria’s tech ecosystem matures, female founders are shifting from participants to powerhouses. Following a historic performance in 2025, the Standard Chartered Women in Tech (WiT) Accelerator, in partnership with Village Capital and the Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) of Pan-Atlantic University, has officially opened applications for its 2026 cohort.
The “Multiplier Effect” of 2025 The program’s recently released 2025 impact report offers undeniable proof of the efficiency of women-led startups when backed by structured support:
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Revenue Growth: 71 women-led startups collectively generated over USD 2 million in additional revenue.
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Job Creation: The cohort was responsible for creating over 430 new jobs, strengthening the local labor market.
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Market Penetration: Participating businesses acquired nearly 16,000 new customers during the program cycle.
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Catalytic Funding: Since its 2019 launch, the initiative has deployed over USD 1 million in training, advisory services, and direct grant funding.
Beyond the Capital: The Value of “Wrap-Around” Support For many alumnae, the program’s greatest value lies in its strategic mentorship rather than the cash injection alone.
“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,” noted Chinwendu Augustina Nweke, Founder of Bridge Merchant and 2025 alumna.
The 2026 Roadmap With Nneka Okekearu (EDC) and Yazmin Jumaali (Village Capital) at the helm, the 2026 cycle aims to push the boundaries of digital innovation further:
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Selection Focus: High-potential women entrepreneurs building transformative, scalable businesses.
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Accelerator Timeline: Successful applicants will undergo intensive training between June and August 2026.
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Application Deadline: Nigerian women-startup founders are invited to apply by April 26, 2026.
