Grey, a fintech company, has unveiled UpGreyed Her, an equity-free grant initiative with the goal of advancing financial inclusion for African women, coinciding with Women’s History Month 2024.
Launched on International Women’s Day, the initiative garnered an overwhelming response, attracting nearly 1000 applications from six African countries within just two weeks. At the grant presentation event in Lagos, Iheakachi Nwabueze, head of Global Marketing and Growth at Grey, announced three winners chosen from a pool of five finalists.
Nwabueze highlighted the winners’ distinctive approaches to enhancing product competitiveness, innovating new concepts, showcasing commitment to sustainability, and promoting diversity. She commended the 773 applicants who took part in the process.
UpGreyed HER aims to address the $42 billion funding gap confronting African female entrepreneurs. Ameenah Kazeem, the first-place winner, expressed gratitude for the support and acknowledged the challenges faced by female entrepreneurs in balancing work and home life. She shared her aspirations for her company, OfadaHub, and thanked Grey for investing in her business.
Chinazom Arinze, founder of AutoGirl Ltd, and Zigwai Fanda, founder of LadyBambooLtd, were named as runners-up, each receiving $2,000.
Nishita Devanand, a judge on the panel, praised Grey’s inclusive initiative and stressed the significance of nurturing and supporting one’s dreams. She congratulated the winners, believing that the grant would propel their success.
Blessing Abeng lauded Grey for championing gender diversity and inclusion, recognizing the achievements of the winners and their potential for future growth.
The UpGreyed Her Initiative partnered with Her Network, a global media platform amplifying women’s voices and impact stories, to broaden its reach and influence.
