A joint initiative between eHealth Africa and EHA Impact Ventures has successfully delivered specialist training to 213 female entrepreneurs across 11 Nigerian states. The newly launched Women Vendor Accelerator Program aims to give female-led businesses the essential skills and commercial networks required to bid for institutional procurement contracts.
Women-owned enterprises regularly face significant structural barriers when trying to secure formal supply contracts. These obstacles frequently include a lack of clear information regarding corporate onboarding, poor professional networks and a lack of targeted development support. To challenge this, the EHA Group board issued a direct mandate to open up its internal supply chains and build a more inclusive local supplier network.
The initial phase of the program took place on June 17, 2026. The event used a hybrid setup to connect physical venues across Kano, Abuja, Borno, Yobe, Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Bauchi and Niger States with virtual participants based nationwide. Attendees took part in interactive sessions covering corporate vendor registration, ethical compliance, business formalisation and competitive bidding tactics. The workshops also allowed the business owners to talk directly with corporate purchasing experts about supplier expectations.
Organisers confirmed that the initiative marks the first stage of a long-term economic scheme. Over the coming months, the participating entrepreneurs will receive continuous support to help them meet corporate procurement standards. They will also gain access to direct vendor matching schemes and bespoke capital solutions managed by EHA Impact Ventures. The project gives participants direct visibility into ongoing commercial opportunities across eHealth Africa, EHA Clinics and EHA Impact Ventures.
Speaking during the training, eHealth Africa’s Director of Finance and Administration, Dr Ben Igbinosa, said: “Empowering women entrepreneurs requires more than good intentions; it requires deliberate action, equitable access, and intentional investment in their capacity to compete. Through this program, we are opening pathways for more women-owned businesses to participate in institutional procurement while strengthening local enterprise.”
Ramatu Abdullah, Senior Coordinator, Executive Project Support, EHA Impact Ventures, said: “This training is a critical first step in building a stronger pipeline of women-owned businesses capable of competing for institutional opportunities. We are not only helping women understand procurement systems; we are creating pathways for them to access guidance, strategic networks, market opportunities, and financing that can accelerate business growth.”
Sumayyah Muhammad, Founder of Skin Whispers Ng and a program beneficiary, said: “EHA has just elevated me into a bigger room. As a small business owner looking to grow and secure more contracts, this has been an eye-opening experience. I am leaving with a clearer understanding of how to position my business for new opportunities.”
