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Access Bank has disbursed N17.5 million in grants to 10 outstanding women entrepreneurs under its Womenpreneur Pitch-a-ton initiative. The program in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) is part of the bank’s W Initiative, which aims to promote financial inclusion and drive the growth of female-led enterprises.
Emerging as the top beneficiary out of 36 finalists, Simkay Foods received N5 million, while other beneficiaries were awarded grants ranging from N500,000 to N4 million. Since its inception in 2019, the Womenpreneur Pitch-a-ton has empowered women across 10 African countries, providing over $175,000 in grants and equipping 645 participants with mini-MBA certifications.
Speaking at the award ceremony in Lagos, Abiodun Olubitan, Group Head of the W Initiative, reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to empowering female entrepreneurs. “This program is designed to create an enabling environment for women to grow their businesses sustainably,” Olubitan said. She highlighted the program’s rigorous selection process, which began with over 30,000 applications and culminated in 113 women completing the latest edition.
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Reflecting on the initiative’s progress, Olubitan noted: “When we launched six years ago, we began with a cohort of 50 women. Today, we proudly celebrate an alumni network of over 513 women from the Womenpreneur Academy.” She emphasized that the initiative combined financial support with mentorship and business training.
Christian Mulamula, Head of Office, Nigeria at the IFC, a strategic partner in the initiative, commended the participants for their resilience and vision. “The skills and strategies gained through this program will enable you to overcome challenges, make informed decisions, and seize new opportunities,” he said. Mulamula also emphasized the broader economic impact, stating, “Empowering female entrepreneurs is not only a matter of equity but a vital driver of economic development.”
Rejoice Usim, founder of Simkay Foods and the overall winner, shared her plans for the grant. “This achievement will enable us to expand our farmer database platform from two communities in Zaria and Kaduna to 19 states across northern Nigeria,” she said.
