Access Bank plc has kicked off the W project, Womenpreneur Pitch-a-Tonne Season 5.
The W Initiative aims to inspire, connect, and empower women while building on Access Bank’s goal to be the bank of choice for women in the markets and communities it serves.
This is why the Womenpreneur Pitch-a-Tonne scheme, which is run by the Bank, aims to teach financial and business skills to female entrepreneurs.
The goal of the programme is to give African businesses run by women access to financing, world-class business training, and mentoring opportunities.
Abiodun Olubitan, Group Head of W Initiative, said, “This plan is meant to make it easier for female entrepreneurs to grow their businesses.
Access Bank has been a major supporter of women’s economic empowerment in Africa. This is the main reason for the ‘W’ Initiative, which focuses on the women’s economy, especially in the areas of financing, building women’s skills, and creating networking opportunities for women.”
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The Womenpreneur Pitch-a-Tonne programme, which started in 2019, is the first programme of its kind to help women in business. It is part of Access Bank’s W Initiative. In its first year, the programme gave 50 women businesses in Nigeria a free mini-MBA certificate, and the top three applicants received grants totaling N9 million.
Together with the International Finance Corporation (IFC, which is part of the World Bank Group), it did this. After that, the programme was made available in 10 other African countries where Access Bank’s W project was active.
Since then, the programme has given Mini-MBAs to more than 300 African women business owners. This year is the fifth season of the programme. The goal is to give 120 more women businesses in Nigeria a mini-MBA and give WSMEs grants worth over N17 million.
Initial Criteria and Eligibility
A personal or business Access Bank account number is required of the applicant.
A minimum of 50% of the applicant’s business must be owned by women.
The age range for applicants is 18 to 55.
The applicant’s company must have been in operation for at least a year.
Application forms must be filled out and submitted by the applicant.
Stage two
A one-minute video pitch about the business is required from the applicant.
The applicant needs to be an Access Bank Business customer.
The applicant’s business has to be authorized.
Benefits of the Womenpreneur Pitch-a-Tonne Season 5
Mini-MBA with up to N5 million in grants, IFC-certified.
August 11, 2023, is the deadline for submissions.