Standard Chartered Women in Tech Program 2026: Apply to Get Up to $10,000, Training and Investor Access

Standard Chartered Women in Tech Program 2026 opens

The Standard Chartered Futuremakers Women in Tech (WiT) Nigeria Program 2026 is now open for applications, giving women founders and aspiring tech entrepreneurs a fresh opportunity to access up to $10,000 in non-equity funding, hands-on business support, technical training, mentorship, and investor exposure.

The programme, backed by the Standard Chartered Foundation and delivered in partnership with the Pan-Atlantic University Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) and Village Capital, is designed to support women-led or women-owned businesses that leverage technology. With the application deadline set for March 27, 2026, the initiative is expected to attract strong interest from women across Nigeria and other African markets looking for startup accelerators, women-in-tech grants, and entrepreneurship training programmes.

At a time when more women are building businesses in fintech, e-commerce, edtech, healthtech, agritech, and digital services, the Standard Chartered Women in Tech Program 2026 positions itself as a timely opportunity for founders seeking not just funding, but also the strategic tools needed to scale.

For many applicants, this is more than a training programme. It is a gateway to business growth support, mentorship from industry experts, investor connections, pitch opportunities, and long-term visibility in the African innovation ecosystem.

What Is the Standard Chartered Futuremakers Women in Tech (WiT) Nigeria Program 2026?

The Standard Chartered Futuremakers Women in Tech (WiT) Nigeria Program 2026 is a business acceleration and support initiative created for women who are building or planning to build businesses in the technology space.

According to the programme details, the Women in Tech Accelerator is specifically designed to provide support for women-led or women-owned businesses that use technology as a core part of their operations or growth strategy. The broader project is already active in Nigeria, Kenya, the UAE, and Pakistan, and aims to increase diversity, innovation, and entrepreneurial excellence within the technology sector.

In practical terms, the programme focuses on helping women founders sharpen their business models, strengthen operational capacity, gain access to strategic networks, and improve their chances of scaling sustainably.

Why the Standard Chartered Women in Tech Program Matters in 2026

The Standard Chartered Women in Tech Program arrives at a time when women entrepreneurs across Africa are actively seeking startup grants, accelerator programmes, business mentorship, and investor access. Despite the rise of women-led startups, many founders still face challenges such as limited access to capital, lower investor visibility, and fewer structured growth platforms.

This is where the WiT Nigeria Program stands out.

By combining non-equity funding with business and technical training, the programme reduces one of the biggest barriers for early-stage women founders: raising money without losing ownership. The fact that selected participants can receive up to $10,000 in funding without giving away equity makes it especially attractive in a highly competitive startup environment.

For women in Nigeria and across Africa, the programme also offers something equally valuable: credibility, exposure, and ecosystem access.

Who Can Apply for Standard Chartered Women in Tech Program 2026?

Based on the published eligibility requirements, the Standard Chartered Futuremakers Women in Tech (WiT) Nigeria Program 2026 is open to applicants who meet the following broad criteria:

Be a woman enthusiastic about technology
Be passionate about building businesses in the tech industry

While the listed requirements are concise, the programme description makes it clear that the strongest fit is for women-led or women-owned businesses that leverage technology. This means the ideal applicants are likely to be women founders, startup builders, or aspiring entrepreneurs whose business ideas or ventures are tied to digital tools, tech-enabled services, or innovation-driven models.

The summary also lists African countries as eligible, suggesting the opportunity may attract interest beyond Nigeria, even though the current edition is framed as the Nigeria Program. Applicants should carefully review the official application page before submission to confirm country-specific participation details.

What Are the Benefits of Standard Chartered Women in Tech Program 2026?

The benefits of the Standard Chartered Women in Tech Nigeria Program 2026 go far beyond basic training. Selected participants will receive a package built around funding, business growth, technical learning, and market access.

Key benefits include:

Up to $10,000 in non-equity funding
Business and technical training covering product development, finance, and go-to-market strategy
Mentorship and coaching from industry experts
Access to a pan-African network of founders, investors, and partners
Visibility opportunities, including investor exposure and strategic partnerships

This structure makes the programme one of the more compelling women-focused tech accelerators in Africa currently open. The inclusion of non-equity funding is particularly important because it allows founders to grow without immediate dilution.

For women building startups in sectors like fintech, edtech, agritech, healthtech, AI, e-commerce, and digital services, these benefits can provide both immediate support and long-term strategic value.

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Who Is Behind the Women in Tech Nigeria Program?

The Women in Tech (WiT) Nigeria Program is funded by the Standard Chartered Foundation through its Futuremakers initiative. The programme is delivered by the Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) of Pan-Atlantic University in partnership with Village Capital.

This combination adds significant credibility to the programme. Standard Chartered Foundation brings global brand strength and funding support, while EDC Pan-Atlantic University is widely known for entrepreneurship and business development programmes in Nigeria. Village Capital, on the other hand, is recognised internationally for supporting impact-driven startups and founder ecosystems.

For applicants, this partnership signals that the programme is not just a generic online training course, but a structured and potentially high-impact accelerator with meaningful institutional backing.

How to Apply for Standard Chartered Women in Tech Program 2026

The application process for the Standard Chartered Futuremakers Women in Tech (WiT) Nigeria Program 2026 is straightforward.

According to the published guide, interested and qualified candidates are expected to use the official application portal to submit their applications online. While the article summary provides a simple call to action, applicants should be prepared to complete all requested details accurately and ensure they present their business idea, startup profile, or entrepreneurial interest clearly.

Because programmes like this are often competitive, applicants should take extra care to:

Clearly explain the problem their business solves
Show how the business is technology-enabled
Highlight traction, innovation, or growth potential
Present a compelling case for why funding, mentorship, and investor access would help scale the venture

Founders who submit early and present a strong, well-structured application may improve their chances of being considered.

Standard Chartered Women in Tech Program 2026 Deadline

The deadline for the Standard Chartered Women in Tech (WiT) Nigeria Program 2026 is March 27, 2026.

Because the deadline is close, interested applicants should move quickly. For women founders seeking grants for women in tech, startup support, accelerator access, and investor exposure in Africa, this programme is one of the more visible and potentially impactful opportunities currently open.

With up to $10,000 in non-equity funding, strong institutional backing, and a focus on women-led tech-enabled businesses, the Standard Chartered Futuremakers Women in Tech Program 2026 could be a major growth opportunity for the right applicant.

FAQ

1. What is the Standard Chartered Women in Tech Program 2026?

The Standard Chartered Futuremakers Women in Tech (WiT) Nigeria Program 2026 is a support and accelerator programme for women-led or women-owned tech-enabled businesses. It offers funding, training, mentorship, business support, and investor exposure.

2. Is the Standard Chartered Women in Tech Program 2026 open now?

Yes. The Women in Tech Nigeria Program 2026 is currently open for applications, and interested candidates should apply before the deadline.

3. What is the deadline for Standard Chartered Women in Tech Program 2026?

The application deadline is March 27, 2026.

4. Who can apply for Standard Chartered Women in Tech Nigeria Program?

The basic eligibility requirements say applicants should:

Be a woman enthusiastic about technology
Be passionate about building businesses in the tech industry

The programme is best suited for women founders or aspiring entrepreneurs building tech-enabled businesses.

5. Does Standard Chartered Women in Tech offer funding?

Yes. Selected participants can receive up to $10,000 in non-equity funding.

6. How much is the Standard Chartered Women in Tech grant?

The programme offers up to $10,000 in non-equity funding, meaning founders can access support without giving up ownership in their businesses.

7. What does non-equity funding mean in the Women in Tech Program?

Non-equity funding means the selected founder receives financial support without surrendering shares or ownership in the business.

8. What are the benefits of Standard Chartered Women in Tech Program 2026?

Participants may receive:

Up to $10,000 funding
Business and technical training
Mentorship and coaching
Investor exposure
Partnership opportunities
Access to a pan-African network of founders and partners

9. Is IELTS required for Standard Chartered Women in Tech Program 2026?

No. The programme summary explicitly states “No IELTS Required.”

10. Is Standard Chartered Women in Tech only for Nigeria?

The current edition is presented as the Nigeria Program, but the summary also lists African countries as eligible. Because of this, applicants outside Nigeria should verify the official portal for country-specific eligibility before applying.

11. Can African women outside Nigeria apply for Standard Chartered Women in Tech Program?

Possibly. The summary mentions African countries as eligible, but because the programme is branded as the Nigeria Program, women outside Nigeria should check the official application page for confirmation before submitting.

12. Is the Standard Chartered Women in Tech Program only for existing startups?

The strongest fit appears to be for women-led or women-owned businesses that leverage technology, meaning existing startups may have an advantage. However, women with strong tech-driven business ideas may also be relevant, depending on the official application criteria.

13. Does the Women in Tech Nigeria Program offer mentorship?

Yes. The programme includes mentorship and coaching from industry experts, which is one of its core benefits.

14. Does Standard Chartered Women in Tech provide investor access?

Yes. The programme offers investor connections, pitch opportunities, and visibility, making it useful for founders seeking capital and partnerships.

15. Who is funding the Standard Chartered Women in Tech Nigeria Program?

The programme is funded by the Standard Chartered Foundation through the Futuremakers initiative.

16. Who is delivering the Women in Tech Program in Nigeria?

The programme is delivered by the Enterprise Development Centre (EDC), Pan-Atlantic University, in partnership with Village Capital.

17. Why is the Standard Chartered Women in Tech Program important?

It is important because it addresses key barriers facing women founders, especially funding gaps, limited mentorship, and reduced investor visibility, while offering practical business growth support in the tech ecosystem.