On February 4, 2026, the Nigerian tech ecosystem celebrated a significant milestone as the sixth cohort of the Standard Chartered Women in Tech (WIT) Nigeria officially graduated. In partnership with the Enterprise Development Centre (EDC), Pan-Atlantic University, and Village Capital, the program has reaffirmed its commitment to closing the gender gap in technology and entrepreneurship.
Since its launch, the program has trained over 50 founders and awarded more than $250,000 in seed funding to women-led ventures, driving both job creation and socio-economic empowerment.
1. The $50,000 Grant Winners
Out of 12 finalists who underwent an intensive 12-week accelerator, five outstanding entrepreneurs were selected to receive $10,000 each in equity-free grant funding. These winners were chosen for their innovative use of technology to solve critical challenges across various sectors:
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Chinwendu Nweke (Bridge Merchant Enterprise): Agritech solution connecting agricultural networks to reduce post-harvest losses and improve farmer incomes.
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Omolara Olarerin (PocketFood): A platform transforming urban food access and delivery efficiency.
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Blessing Aniefiok (Dynalimb Technologies Limited): Scaling assistive technology solutions to improve mobility for persons with disabilities.
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Omobosola Karimat Alaka (Hafrikplay): Innovating in the intersection of African digital entertainment and education (Edutainment).
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Olapeju Nwanganga (Ploutos Page Limited): A fintech initiative focused on helping market women digitize their micro-businesses and financial records.
2. The Accelerator Journey
The Cohort 6 graduates represented a diverse range of sectors, including Agritech, Healthtech, Edtech, Fintech, and Cleantech. The 12-week program provided:
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World-Class Training: Intensive modules on business strategy, financial modeling, and investment readiness.
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Industry Mentorship: One-on-one sessions with seasoned leaders in the global and local tech space.
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Investor Networking: Direct access to a community of innovators and potential capital providers.
3. Institutional Impact & Vision
The program is part of Futuremakers by Standard Chartered, a global initiative to tackle inequality.
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Standard Chartered’s Stand: Country Head of Corporate Affairs, Joke Adu, emphasized that the bank is “truly delighted” to support sustainable enterprises that create jobs.
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EDC’s Role: Dr. Nneka Okekearu, Director of the EDC, noted that these founders are now equipped not just to participate in the ecosystem, but to lead it.
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Village Capital Partnership: The technical expertise of Village Capital helped ensure that these businesses are “investment-ready,” moving them from the incubator stage to scalable corporate entities.
Quick Stats: Women in Tech Nigeria (Cumulative)
| Metric | Achievement to Date |
| Total Cohorts Completed | 6 |
| Total Founders Trained | 62 |
| Total Winners Funded | 30 |
| Total Seed Funding Distributed | Over $300,000 |
4. What’s Next for 2026?
As these 12 founders enter the alumni network, Standard Chartered has already signaled that applications for Cohort 7 are expected to open in April 2026. The next phase will likely see an increased focus on AI-driven solutions and climate-resilient technologies, reflecting the evolving priorities of the Nigerian economy.
