Access Bank has launched the sixth edition of its Womenpreneur Pitch-a-ton program, aimed at supporting female entrepreneurs in Nigeria and across Africa. Applications opened on June 24, 2024, and will run until August 9, 2024.
The three-month program includes an eight-week mini-MBA training conducted in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC). During this period, 120 participants will receive free business coaching and close monitoring and evaluation from certified consultants for six months.
Participants will also have the opportunity to pitch their business ideas to a prestigious Pan-African jury. The top 10 finalists will receive a share of N17.5 million in business grants, while 20 others will win consolation prizes such as free website development and promotional materials.
Abiodun Olubitan, Group Head of Women Banking at Access Bank, explained that the program was born out of a survey conducted to understand why female-owned startups often fail within their first five years. The findings pointed to a significant knowledge gap, which the Womenpreneur Pitch-a-ton program aims to bridge by providing essential resources and training.
Since its inception five years ago, the program has helped many women improve and grow their businesses. It has produced 645 mini-MBA winners across six geopolitical zones in Nigeria and 10 other African countries, 65 grant winners, and 40 consolation prize winners.
The Womenpreneur Pitch-a-ton program is open to female entrepreneurs who have been running their businesses for at least one year, own at least 50% of the business, and are between the ages of 18 and 55.
Olubitan highlighted the significant impact of the program, noting that it has exposed participants to new and international markets, and taught valuable skills such as business marketing, management, and digital prowess.
“The impact has been enormous,” Olubitan said. “We have had participants who had opportunities to launch their businesses in the international market and have applied the skills learned to achieve significant growth.”
The program continues to stand out as one of the largest business growth platforms for women in Africa.
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