Women entrepreneurs across Africa have a new opportunity to secure funding, mentorship, and business support as applications open for the Women in Tech Accelerator 2026, an initiative aimed at helping women-led startups grow and attract investment.
- Women entrepreneurs across Africa have a new opportunity to secure funding, mentorship, and business support as applications open for the...
- Powered by the Standard Chartered Foundation and implemented by Village Capital in collaboration with local ecosystem partners, the programme is...
- Funding and Growth Opportunities The initiative comes at a time when many women founders continue to face challenges in accessing capital...
- Building on Previous Success The organisers report that startups from the previous cohort achieved encouraging results.
Keep reading for the full breakdown on Accelerator — everything you need to know is covered below.
Powered by the Standard Chartered Foundation and implemented by Village Capital in collaboration with local ecosystem partners, the programme is inviting applications from women-led, tech-enabled startups operating in 12 markets across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.
Eligible countries include Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Zambia, Botswana, Egypt, South Africa, Bahrain, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
The accelerator seeks to strengthen women-led businesses by equipping founders with investment readiness skills, tailored business support, mentorship opportunities, and access to funding. Organisers say more than $600,000 in grants will be made available across participating markets during the 2026 cohort.
Funding and Growth Opportunities
The initiative comes at a time when many women founders continue to face challenges in accessing capital and growth opportunities. Through structured training sessions and expert guidance, participants will receive support to refine their business models, improve operations, and prepare for future investment opportunities.
In addition to training, founders will gain access to a network of mentors, investors, industry leaders, and fellow entrepreneurs. This exposure is expected to help participants expand their market reach and strengthen their businesses for long-term growth.
Village Capital and the Standard Chartered Foundation have previously collaborated to support entrepreneurship in emerging markets, focusing on businesses that create measurable social and economic impact.
Building on Previous Success
The organisers report that startups from the previous cohort achieved encouraging results. Collectively, participating ventures reached nearly 16,000 new customers, created more than 430 jobs, and generated an additional $2.7 million in revenue.
These outcomes demonstrate the growing influence of women-led enterprises in addressing local challenges through technology-driven solutions. They also highlight the potential for targeted support programmes to accelerate business growth and job creation.
Nigeria Partnership and Eligibility
In Nigeria, the programme is being delivered through the Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) of Pan-Atlantic University. The partnership continues efforts to provide female entrepreneurs with access to business development resources, mentorship, and professional networks.
Applicants must be women leading impact-focused, technology-enabled startups with ambitions to scale their operations and deliver positive social or economic outcomes in their communities.
Application Deadline
Applications for the Women in Tech Accelerator 2026 are currently open and will close on June 30, 2026. Interested founders are encouraged to submit their applications before the deadline.
As Africa’s startup ecosystem continues to mature, programmes such as the Women in Tech Accelerator are helping to bridge funding gaps, foster innovation, and create new pathways for women entrepreneurs to build thriving businesses.
Application link: https://vilcap.com/programs/women-in-tech-accelerator-2026