Standard Chartered Foundation Unveils 11 Women-Led Startups Selected for Women in Tech Accelerator Nigeria 2026
The Standard Chartered Foundation, in partnership with the Enterprise Development Centre (EDC), Pan-Atlantic University, and Village Capital, has officially announced the 11 finalists selected for the seventh edition of the Women in Tech Accelerator Nigeria programme.
The annual initiative supports women-led, technology-driven startups by providing mentorship, business development support, funding opportunities, and access to global networks. The selected startups will now advance into a 12-week accelerator programme designed to strengthen their businesses and prepare them for long-term growth and investment opportunities.
Eleven Female Founders Advancing Innovation Across Nigeria
Following a highly competitive selection process, eleven women-led startups were chosen based on their innovation, scalability, and potential social and economic impact.
The selected founders represent sectors including healthcare, logistics, education, human resources, recruitment, accessibility, events technology, and digital commerce.
Women in Tech Accelerator Nigeria Cycle 7 Finalists
| Founder | Startup | Focus Area |
|---|---|---|
| Jennifer Esiaba | Mariam Grey Pharmacy | AI-powered telepharmacy and healthcare |
| Ejiro Enaohwo | Ginger Technologies | Beauty industry trade and credit infrastructure |
| Fara Popoola | OnIt Innovations Limited | Managed home services marketplace |
| Abolarinwa Adetola | PeoplePulse Africa | Human resource solutions |
| Toyosi Badejo-Okusanya | Adaptive Atelier | Disability technology and accessibility |
| Jane Uwagboe | Locoomo | Logistics and fulfilment solutions |
| Christine Imoukhuede | Ahavaplan | Event management CRM technology |
| Proc360 | Proc360 | SME trade infrastructure |
| Adejoke Haastrup | Kidsthatcode | Digital education and coding training |
| Oyindamola Ossi | VampAI | AI-powered recruitment solutions |
| Dorcas Obeahon | Ali Global | Women’s leadership and career advancement |
Innovative Solutions Tackling Real African Challenges
The selected startups are building solutions designed to address some of Africa’s biggest challenges through technology and innovation.
Mariam Grey Pharmacy
Founded by Jennifer Esiaba, Mariam Grey Pharmacy is developing an AI-powered telepharmacy platform that provides verified medications and chronic disease support throughout Nigeria. The platform supports more than 30 local languages and functions without requiring internet access, making healthcare services more accessible to underserved communities.
Ginger Technologies
Led by Ejiro Enaohwo, Ginger Technologies focuses on solving trade and financing challenges within Africa’s rapidly expanding women-led beauty industry by creating digital infrastructure that supports business growth and access to credit.
OnIt Innovations Limited
Fara Popoola’s OnIt Innovations operates a managed home services platform that trains, vets, and deploys skilled domestic and technical workers, helping improve service quality while creating employment opportunities.
PeoplePulse Africa
Abolarinwa Adetola’s PeoplePulse Africa provides affordable and localized human resource management solutions designed specifically for African businesses and small enterprises.
Adaptive Atelier
Founded by Toyosi Badejo-Okusanya, Adaptive Atelier develops AI-powered accessibility solutions and connects organizations with qualified professionals living with disabilities through a verified marketplace.
Locoomo
Jane Uwagboe’s Locoomo addresses logistics challenges by transforming underutilized spaces into pickup stations, mini-warehouses, and fulfillment hubs for small businesses.
Ahavaplan
Christine Imoukhuede’s Ahavaplan offers an AI-driven customer relationship management platform built specifically for event planners, helping streamline business operations and client management.
Proc360
Proc360 aims to improve trust and transparency within African commerce by integrating supplier verification, quality control, and secure payment systems into one platform for small and medium-sized businesses.
Kidsthatcode
Founded by Adejoke Haastrup, Kidsthatcode equips children and teenagers with coding, technology, and digital skills through mentorship, live instruction, and practical project-based learning.
VampAI
Oyindamola Ossi’s VampAI combines artificial intelligence and human expertise to improve recruitment processes and help businesses identify and hire suitable talent across Africa.
Ali Global
Dorcas Obeahon’s Ali Global operates a digital leadership academy that empowers African women through education, professional development, and career advancement opportunities.
Inside the 12-Week Women in Tech Accelerator Programme
The selected founders will participate in a comprehensive 12-week accelerator programme designed to improve their business readiness and accelerate growth.
Participants will receive:
| Programme Benefits | Description |
|---|---|
| Business Training | Intensive growth and scaling workshops |
| Mentorship | Access to experienced entrepreneurs and industry experts |
| Advisory Support | Personalized business guidance |
| Grant Funding | Access to catalytic funding opportunities |
| Investor Access | Connections to investors and venture networks |
| Global Community | Membership in an international entrepreneurial ecosystem |
The programme also provides founders with access to ecosystem partners, investors, industry leaders, and fellow entrepreneurs worldwide.
Why Women-Focused Tech Accelerators Matter
Women entrepreneurship continues to grow globally, with Africa remaining one of the world’s leading regions for female business ownership.
In Nigeria alone, women represent approximately half of the country’s population, while an estimated 23 million women entrepreneurs account for roughly 41% of micro-businesses nationwide. Women-owned businesses are estimated to contribute approximately 37% of Nigeria’s GDP.
Despite this growth, female entrepreneurs continue to face significant challenges, particularly in accessing mentorship, business networks, and capital.
Recent studies indicate that nearly 78% of women across emerging markets aspire to start their own businesses, yet access to training and funding remains limited.
The Funding Gap Facing Women Entrepreneurs
| Region | Funding Challenge |
|---|---|
| Africa | US$42 billion financing gap for women entrepreneurs |
| Middle East & North Africa | Women-founded startups received only 1.2% of total startup funding in 2024 |
| Pakistan | Funding for women-led startups declined from 34% in 2021 to 8% in 2022 |
The Women in Tech Accelerator was established to help bridge these gaps by providing women entrepreneurs with access to training, mentorship, business support, and grant funding.
Standard Chartered’s Continued Investment in Female Entrepreneurship
The Women in Tech Accelerator is a flagship philanthropic initiative led by the Standard Chartered Foundation in collaboration with Village Capital and local implementation partners.
The programme currently operates across 14 Standard Chartered markets globally, with 12 markets located across Africa, the Middle East, and Pakistan.
By supporting women-led, technology-enabled businesses, the initiative aims to promote economic inclusion, reduce inequality, and empower the next generation of female entrepreneurs to build scalable businesses that create lasting impact in their communities.
