Access Bank has launched the 6th edition of its Womenpreneur Pitch-a-ton program by opening it to women entrepreneurs in Nigeria.

The program, one of the largest women’s growth platforms in Africa, will extend its program to 120 women entrepreneurs and will span 3 months.  The participants will receive an eight-week mini-MBA training program conducted in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC).

Speaking at the launching in Lagos, the Group Head, Women Banking of Access Bank, Abiodun Olubitan said, “The impact has been enormous and has exposed the participating businesses to new and international clientele and markets, we have had participants who had opportunities to launch their businesses in the international market. The women have learned useful skills such as business marketing, management, and digital prowess which they have applied to their businesses to experience the growth recorded.” 

Speaking at the launch in Lagos, Abiodun Olubitan, Group Head of Access Bank’s Women Banking division, revealed that ten winners would receive a business grant of N17.5 million. The 120 finalists would also receive close monitoring and evaluation of their operations from a certified consultant for six months, in addition to receiving free business coaching throughout the MBA program.

Speaking about the origins of the Womenpreneur program, Abiodun Olubitan revealed that a survey carried out a few years ago on the reasons why female-owned startup businesses fail within the first five years of operation revealed a knowledge gap that needed to be filled by giving these women access to resources to help their businesses succeed.