Access Bank Plc has officially commenced the eighth season of its flagship Womenpreneur Pitch-A-Ton initiative, reaffirming its strategy to close the financing gap for female-led small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The latest season introduces a ₦7 million top grant alongside specialized business training designed to scale high-potential startups into sustainable corporate entities.
Since the program’s inception in 2019, the tier-1 lender has supported more than 1,000 women entrepreneurs through a combination of direct financial injections, capacity building, and mentorship. The initiative has evolved from a local Nigerian contest into a pan-African platform, reflecting Access Bank’s expanding footprint across the continent and its commitment to gender-inclusive finance.
The Womenpreneur Pitch-A-Ton is structured as a combination of a business pitch competition and a mini-MBA program. Participants who qualify for the final stages undergo an intensive training period certified by the Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) of the Pan-Atlantic University. This academic component focuses on essential business skills, including financial management, marketing strategy, and digital transformation, which are often cited as primary hurdles for early-stage female entrepreneurs.
For the 2026 season, the bank disclosed that the primary objective is to identify and empower women who have demonstrated resilience in a challenging macroeconomic environment. The ₦7 million grant is intended to provide critical seed capital or expansion funds, helping recipients navigate the rising costs of operations and inventory in the Nigerian and regional markets.
Driving Gender-Inclusive Finance Through the W Initiative
The Pitch-A-Ton program operates under the umbrella of the Access Bank W Initiative, a dedicated segment launched to cater to the specific financial and lifestyle needs of women. By integrating credit facilities with non-financial services like the Pitch-A-Ton, the bank aims to address the structural inequalities that often limit women’s access to formal banking products.
Data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and previous SME surveys indicate that while women own a significant portion of Nigeria’s micro-enterprises, they face a disproportionate credit gap compared to their male counterparts. High collateral requirements and a lack of formal business records frequently exclude female founders from traditional lending cycles. Access Bank’s model seeks to bypass these barriers by focusing on business viability and entrepreneurial competence.
The eighth season is expected to attract thousands of applicants from across the 10 African countries where Access Bank maintains a retail presence. In previous iterations, the program has welcomed participants from Ghana, Zambia, Rwanda, and Sierra Leone, creating a cross-border network of female founders. This regional integration allows participants to share market insights and potentially explore intra-African trade opportunities facilitated by the bank’s payment infrastructure.
Beyond the top ₦7 million grant, the bank also provides smaller consolation grants and access to the “W-Power” loan, a credit facility specifically priced to support female-owned businesses. This tiered support system ensures that even those who do not win the top prize can still access the liquidity necessary to sustain their operations.
Industry analysts note that such initiatives are vital for Nigeria’s broader economic stability. SMEs contribute approximately 48% of the national GDP and account for nearly 80% of total employment. Enhancing the productivity of female-led firms in this sector could provide a significant boost to non-oil revenue and household income levels across the country.
Application portals for Season 8 are now open to female entrepreneurs who have been in business for at least one year and hold a registered business entity. Following the initial screening, successful candidates will proceed to the regional pitch sessions before the final selection for the mini-MBA cohort is announced later in the quarter. Access Bank has indicated that the final pitch event will be broadcast to a wider audience to showcase the innovative solutions being developed by African women.
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