Access Bank Launches Season 8 of Womenpreneur Pitch-A-Ton

Access Bank has launched the eighth season of its Womenpreneur Pitch-A-Ton programme, aiming to support 120 women entrepreneurs with intensive business training and financial assistance as part of efforts to strengthen women-owned businesses across Africa. The program, implemented in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), begins in November 2026 and offers participants a three-week intensive mini-MBA course.

Nene Kunle-Ogunlusi, Head of Women Banking at Access Bank, highlighted the initiative's growth since its inception, stating that over 1,141 women from 10 African countries have been trained in the past seven seasons. These beneficiaries have received grants totaling over $200,000, with participants also achieving success in external competitions, such as winning the Nigeria MSME Awards consecutively. One graduate received a $100,000 prize in another competition.

Chizobar Iheme, Group Head of Consumer Banking at Access Bank, emphasized that financial inclusion extends beyond integrating women into the banking system by empowering them with the skills necessary to build sustainable businesses. Iheme noted that the high failure rate within the first five years of a business underscores the importance of equipping entrepreneurs with stronger structures, financial discipline, and the capacity to meet formal credit requirements.

To enhance the programme's impact, Oge Kasie-Nwachukwu, Acting Group Head of Marketing and Retail Analytics at Access Bank, revealed additional improvements planned for the eighth season. Apart from a top grant, 19 other beneficiaries will also receive financial support.