Women in Business Competition 2026 in Nigeria | Win Up to ₦3 Million in Business Grants

Applications are now being accepted for the Women in Business Competition (WIBC) 2026, a business growth programme designed to support women entrepreneurs in Nigeria through funding opportunities, business capacity development, mentorship, and expert guidance.

Organised by The SME Mall, the competition provides women-led businesses with access to a structured business assessment, practical training, networking opportunities, and the chance to pitch for a share of ₦3 million in equity-free grant funding.

Interested applicants will first register their interest before completing the Business Health Check (BHC), a business diagnostic assessment required for progression to the full application stage.

Host Organization: The SME Mall (Women in Business Competition)

Programme Type: Business Competition / SME Grant Programme

Location: Nigeria (Grand Finale in Lagos)

Funding: Up to ₦3 million in equity-free grants

Eligible Applicants: Women entrepreneurs and women-led businesses in Nigeria

Application Method: Online application

Application Deadline: 17 August 2026

The Women in Business Competition (WIBC) was created to help women entrepreneurs strengthen and scale their businesses through practical business development support.

Beyond financial awards, the programme equips participants with business knowledge, personalised business assessments, mentorship, capacity-building sessions, and opportunities to connect with industry experts, investors, and fellow entrepreneurs.

Applicants who successfully progress through the competition will have the opportunity to present their businesses before a panel of judges during the live grand finale.

Successful participants will receive:

• Opportunity to compete for a share of ₦3 million in equity-free grant funding
• Personalised Business Health Check assessment
• Business performance score and improvement recommendations
• Capacity-building training across key business areas
• Expert mentorship and business advisory support
• Networking opportunities with business leaders and investors
• Exposure through the national business competition
• Opportunity to pitch before experienced judges during the grand finale

• First Prize: ₦1.5 million
• Second Prize: ₦1 million
• Third Prize: ₦500,000

Applicants must:

• Be a woman entrepreneur or founder of a business.
• Own a Nigerian business or have a qualifying business idea.
• Register their interest through the official portal.
• Complete the required Business Health Check (BHC).
• Submit all required business information and a two-minute video pitch.
• Participate in the mandatory capacity-building webinars.
• Be available for programme activities.
• Be available to attend the grand finale in Lagos if selected as a finalist.

Note: Completing the eligibility requirements does not guarantee selection.

The application process consists of seven stages:

• Register your interest online (free).
• Complete the Business Health Check (BHC).
• Review your business assessment results.
• Submit your complete application and video pitch.
• Participate in the mandatory business training sessions.
• Shortlisted applicants proceed to the semi-final pitching stage.
• Selected finalists pitch live during the grand finale in Lagos.

Registering interest is free.

• To complete the application, applicants must complete the Business Health Check (BHC), which currently costs ₦7,500 at the early-bird rate.
• Payment for the Business Health Check does not guarantee selection or funding.
• Applicants should only make payments through the programme's official payment channels.
• The organisers advise applicants never to pay money to individuals claiming they can influence the selection process.

Interested applicants should register their interest through the official Women in Business Competition application portal.

After registration, applicants must complete the required Business Health Check before proceeding with the full application, business information submission, and video pitch.

17 August 2026