Access Bank has officially launched the 2025 edition of its flagship Womenpreneur Pitch-a-Ton programme, reaffirming its commitment to empowering women-led businesses across Africa through a mix of capacity-building, mentorship, and financial support.

Applications for this year’s programme opened on Friday, September 19, 2025, and will close on Friday, October 3, 2025.

At a press conference held in Lagos to announce the launch, Nene Kunle-Ogunlusi, Group Head, Women Banking at Access Bank, highlighted the transformative impact the programme has had since its inception in 2019. According to her, Womenpreneur Pitch-a-Ton has empowered hundreds of women through business training, mentorship opportunities, and access to funding. “This year, the program is back and better, offering women entrepreneurs the opportunity to scale their businesses, gain visibility, and connect with like-minded trailblazers across the continent,” she said.

Participants in the 2025 cohort will benefit from an intensive Mini-MBA programme delivered in partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), aimed at equipping them with practical tools to build and sustain successful businesses.

In addition to the training, more than N17.5 million in grants will be awarded to the most outstanding businesses. Finalists who do not emerge winners will also receive consolation packages and access to business support services designed to strengthen their operations.

Project Manager of the initiative, Oyeyipo Ifeoluwa, also underscored the programme’s wide-reaching impact, noting that since 2019, it has trained 878 women and awarded grants totaling $175,000.
“The programme is not just about competition; it is a holistic journey designed to transform women-led businesses and contribute to Africa’s economic development,” she said.

The programme is open to women entrepreneurs whose businesses are duly registered, have been in operation for at least one year, and where the applicant owns a minimum of 50 per cent equity.

Female entrepreneurs looking to take their business to the next level are encouraged to apply via the official portal: https://thewcommunity.com/womenpreneur/