Yesterday marked the official launch of the AWIEF Growth Accelerator Programme in Lagos, Nigeria, delivered in partnership with the African Guarantee Fund (AGF) and FSDH Merchant Bank.
This impactful programme supports 100 women-owned and women-led small and medium-sized enterprises (WSMEs) in Nigeria, helping them become investment-ready and scale through tailored training, mentorship, and expert business advisory services.
The initiative is part of the African Development Bank’s AFAWA (Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa), working to unlock financing and increase access to capital for WSMEs across the continent.
The tri-party collaboration between AWIEF, AGF, and FSDH Merchant Bank was created with the aim to increase access to finance for WSMEs who are driving solutions in different catalytic sectors in Nigeria. This will be achieved by making the WSMEs credit and investment-ready and eligible to access business loans and financing from FSDH Merchant Bank. The programme will provide a stream of businesses that are adequately prepared to meet the FSDH Merchant Bank’s credit requirements.
Through this tri-party collaboration between AWIEF, AGF, and FSDH Merchant Bank, we are addressing key barriers to women’s economic empowerment and creating a stronger ecosystem for women-led innovation and entrepreneurship in Nigeria.
We are excited to work with a dynamic cohort of Nigerian women entrepreneurs and look forward to sharing their growth journey.
