Apply Now: Access Bank to Empower 120 Female Entrepreneurs, Candidates to Get N17m to Scale
- Nigeria’s largest bank by assets, Access Bank, has announced the 7th edition of its Womenpreneur Pitch-a-tonne Programme
- The programme is targeted at empowering 120 Nigerian women entrepreneurs with funding
- Access Bank disclosed that apart from the funding, deserving women will receive capacity building, mentorship and business grants
Pascal Oparada, a reporter for Legit.ng, has over ten years of experience covering technology, energy, stocks, investment, and the economy.
Access Bank has officially launched the seventh edition of its highly anticipated Womenpreneur Pitch-a-tonne programme, a flagship initiative designed to empower female entrepreneurs across Africa.
This year, the programme aims to impact 120 deserving women through a comprehensive package of capacity building, mentorship, and substantial business grants, with each selected participant having the opportunity to win up to N17 million to scale their ventures.
Source: UGC
A holistic approach to empowerment
The Womenpreneur Pitch-a-tonne programme, unveiled at a recent media roundtable in Lagos, goes beyond mere financial assistance.
It offers a multifaceted approach to empowering women in business. Selected participants will gain access to an International Finance Corporation (IFC)-certified mini-MBA training, providing them with critical business acumen and strategic knowledge.
Alongside this, they will receive personalised business coaching, ensuring they are equipped with the practical tools and guidance needed to navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship and achieve sustainable growth.
Building on a legacy of success
Ifeoluwa Oyeyipo, Project Manager for Womenpreneur, highlighted the bank’s unwavering commitment to fostering female entrepreneurship and driving financial inclusion across the continent.
“Since its inception, the Womenpreneur Pitch-a-thon has trained over 878 women and disbursed grants worth $175,000,” Oyeyipo stated.
This year marks a significant expansion, as Access Bank scales the program to impact more women across 10 African countries where it operates, demonstrating its dedication to broadening its reach and impact.
Beyond funding: Cultivating sustainable growth
Nene Kunle-Ogunlusi, Group Head of Women Banking at Access Bank, emphasised that the program's value extends far beyond the financial grants.
This commitment to holistic development ensures that beneficiaries are not only funded but also equipped with the knowledge and connections to sustain and expand their businesses for years to come.
Strengthening communities through entrepreneurship
Chizoba Iheme, Group Head of Products and Segments at Access Bank, underscored the vital role of women-owned businesses in fostering economic development and financial inclusion.
She stressed Access Bank's ongoing commitment to initiatives that support grassroots entrepreneurship. “This programme is helping women at the grassroots level to scale their businesses.
By empowering them, we are also strengthening communities and contributing to Africa’s economic growth,” Iheme affirmed.
The program's ripple effect extends beyond individual businesses, contributing to the broader economic upliftment of communities.
Apply now: Your opportunity awaits
The 2025 edition of the Womenpreneur Pitch-a-thon is currently open for applications until October 3rd.
Following the application period, 120 participants will be meticulously shortlisted for intensive training and mentorship sessions.
The journey culminates for the top finalists, who will have the esteemed opportunity to pitch their innovative business ideas for grand prizes of over N17 million and invaluable international market exposure.
Source: Getty Images
This initiative firmly underscores Access Bank's broader vision of becoming Africa’s most respected financial institution by leveraging innovation to promote inclusion, sustainability, and robust growth within the continent's entrepreneurial landscape.
A history of empowerment
In the previous edition, it offered N17.5 million in business grants to 10 winners.
The Womenpreneur Pitch-a-ton program is designed for female entrepreneurs aged 18 to 55 who have been running their businesses for at least one year and hold at least 50% ownership or control rights.
The 2024 edition, the sixth of its kind, includes an eight-week mini-MBA training course in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC).
Air Peace opens internship scheme
The programme also came as a Nigerian airline, Air Peace, announced an opening for 1,000 Nigerian interns for its 2025/2026 internship scheme.
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The airline's Chairman, Allen Onyema, said the move is in reciprocation of the suspension of the 4% FOB charges.
Access Bank takes over Standard Chartered Bank
Legit.ng earlier reported that Nigeria’s banking giant, Access Bank, has completed the takeover of Standard Chartered Bank in The Gambia.
The takeover on June 13, 2025, will see Standard Chartered Bank cease to operate in The Gambia after 130 years of operations.
The governor of the Central Bank of The Gambia, Buah Saidy, disclosed this recently during a press conference at The Gambia’s apex bank’s headquarters in Banjul.
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Source: Legit.ng
