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Union Bank of Nigeria’s women-focused proposition, alpher, has partnered with Zuri Circle Network (ZCN) to empower 98 female entrepreneurs through the Fearless Female Founders (FFF) 2.0 Accelerator Programme.
The programme was designed to equip women-led businesses with skills, mentorship, funding and business networks to support sustainable growth.
It attracted 2,810 applications from women entrepreneurs across Nigeria, with 98 founders selected after a screening process that included business verification and compliance checks.
As part of the initiative, Union Bank awarded grants to five women-led businesses that emerged winners at the programme’s final pitch presentation.
The selected businesses operate across agriculture, fashion, food production, technology, manufacturing, retail and professional services, reflecting the diversity of Nigeria’s growing entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Participants received practical training and mentorship focused on strengthening business operations, improving financial management, boosting competitiveness and preparing their businesses for expansion and investment.
Speaking on the partnership, Head of Retail Banking at Union Bank, Vivian Imoh-Itah, said the initiative reflected the bank’s commitment to helping women achieve greater personal, professional and financial success.
“Through alpher, Union Bank remains committed to creating meaningful opportunities for women to thrive personally, professionally, and financially,” she said.
Imoh-Itah said the partnership with Zuri Circle Network demonstrated the bank’s focus on providing women entrepreneurs with the tools, networks, knowledge and financial access needed to build sustainable businesses.
“By investing in enterprises owned by women, we are not only empowering individual founders but also contributing to economic growth, job creation, and greater financial inclusion across Nigeria,” she added.
The initiative seeks to address challenges faced by many women entrepreneurs in accessing formal financing and business development opportunities.
Through the accelerator, alpher and Zuri Circle Network aim to improve women-led businesses’ access to funding, knowledge, networks and other resources needed to become investment-ready and scale sustainably.
Union Bank said the partnership reinforces its commitment to supporting women through financial solutions, strategic partnerships and capacity-building programmes.
