Women founders continue to build some of Africa’s most promising startups, yet access to funding and growth support remains uneven. To help bridge that gap, Village Capital and the Standard Chartered Foundation have launched the 2026 Women in Tech Accelerator Programme.
The initiative is designed for ambitious women-led startups using technology to solve real economic and social challenges. Selected founders will gain access to expert mentorship, investor networks, strategic training, and ecosystem partnerships aimed at accelerating business growth.
What Selected Startups Will Receive
The accelerator delivers practical support tailored to early-stage and growth-stage founders seeking long-term scalability.
Participants will benefit from:
- Investment-readiness training
- Personalized business growth support
- One-on-one mentorship from industry experts
- Access to investors and strategic partners
- Founder networking opportunities
- Peer learning and collaboration sessions
- Exposure to Village Capital’s global innovation ecosystem
- Opportunity to access grant funding distributed across participating markets
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify, applicants should:
- Lead or co-lead a women-founded startup
- Operate a technology-enabled business
- Demonstrate early traction or market validation
- Build solutions with measurable impact potential
- Be located in an eligible programme country
The accelerator is open to founders across Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, South Africa, Egypt, Zambia, Botswana, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Pakistan.
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In Nigeria, implementation support is being provided in collaboration with the Enterprise Development Centre (EDC), Pan-Atlantic University.
Application Process
Applications are currently open for the 2026 cohort.
Apply here: Apply Now
Application Deadline: June 30, 2026
For women founders building scalable technology solutions, the Village Capital Women in Tech Accelerator offers more than training. It provides strategic access to mentorship, investors, and growth opportunities capable of helping startups expand their impact across emerging markets.
Edfrica shares opportunities for informational purposes only. Results and funding outcomes are not guaranteed.
