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Providus Bank, in partnership with the Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) of Pan-Atlantic University and United Nations Women, has empowered 31 women entrepreneurs in Nigeria.
The empowerment was carried out through the SheThrives Programme to provide selected entrepreneurs with access to finance and investors while bridging market access gaps.
According to the organisers, the programme aims to help women-owned businesses scale by providing access to finance, investors, and markets—key areas where many Nigerian entrepreneurs face persistent challenges.
Speaking at the launch in Lagos recently, Nneka Okekearu, director of the EDC, said the programme is designed to build capacity, expand business networks, and streamline operations for the selected entrepreneurs.
“Our goal is to ensure these women are not only equipped to grow their businesses but also able to participate in public procurement processes,” Okekearu said.
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She added that the programme specifically focuses on procurement and trade, targeting women who are serious, focused, and ready to scale. Businesses selected had to be at least 55 percent women-owned and meet a minimum turnover threshold.
The two-and-a-half-month initiative will provide intensive capacity-building, including training on sustainable business models that can compete beyond Nigeria’s borders.
Participants will also receive access to funding via loans and equity, along with networking opportunities with top industry players.
Damilola Fejide, head of the SME Desk at Providus Bank, highlighted the collaborative effort behind the initiative. While EDC will lead the training, UN Women will facilitate access to markets and investors.
“You can expect to see these women doing incredible things. When women thrive, families thrive, businesses thrive—and the economy thrives,” she said. “That’s why we named the programme SheThrives—because empowered women uplift entire communities.”
Fejide added that women can multiply and nurture things, noting that the UN and EDC are enthusiastic about the programme and cannot wait to see how much economic growth it will spur in Africa’s most populous nation.
One of the beneficiaries, who runs a premium hair salon in Victoria Island, told BusinessDay she looks forward to scaling her business and connecting with other women entrepreneurs.
The women were all united by a shared vision to grow and contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s economic development.
The event brought together entrepreneurs from sectors such as health, fashion, beauty, food, and hospitality.
