Applications now open · WIBC 2026
Pitch your business for a share of ₦3 million.
WIBC supports women-led businesses with structured assessment, capacity building, exposure and the opportunity to pitch for equity-free funding.
At a glance
₦3M
Total equity-free prize pool
6
finalists
45
BHC questions
17 Aug
applications close
12 Sep
grand finale
₦3 million
Total prize pool
Six
Live finalists
Six pillars
Business diagnosis
Three weekends
Capacity building
Clear from the start
What you receive. What we ask from you.
A serious programme should be transparent about both the opportunity and the work required to qualify.
What you receive
- ＋Personalised business assessment and scores
- ＋Practical guidance to strengthen business gaps
- ＋Capacity-building sessions across six areas
- ＋Opportunity to pitch for equity-free funding
- ＋Exposure to experts, investors and business networks
What we ask from you
- ＋Register your interest
- ＋Complete the ₦7,500 Business Health Check
- ＋Submit your business information and video pitch
- ＋Attend required capacity-building webinars
- ＋Participate in the published selection process
Why WIBC exists
Access, not ability, is what holds most women founders back.
< 8%
of startup funding in Nigeria reaches women-led businesses — not because they lack ideas, but because the system wasn't built for them.
7 in 10
female-led SMEs cite lack of capital as their number one barrier to growth, yet fewer than 1 in 4 have applied for a business loan.
₦3,000,000
in equity-free capital goes directly to three women founders at the Grand Finale. No interest. No equity. No conditions.
Eligibility
Built for women ready to move their businesses forward.
Woman founder or business owner
Nigerian business or qualifying idea
Able to complete the Business Health Check
Ready to provide required business information
Available for mandatory programme dates
Available in Lagos for the finale if selected
Final eligibility is determined under the published competition rules. Completing the checklist does not guarantee progression.
The applicant journey
Seven steps. No hidden stage.
Every action, cost and outcome is shown before you begin.
01
Register interest
Tell us who you are and how to reach you. Registration does not require payment.
Free · under 2 minutes
02
Complete the BHC
Answer 45 structured questions and receive a personalised six-pillar business score.
₦7,500 early-bird price
03
Review your results
See strengths, gaps and practical next steps before continuing your application.
Immediate result
04
Submit your application
Complete your business and financial information, then provide a two-minute pitch video.
Required
05
Build capacity
Attend the required webinar sessions across the six business pillars.
8–23 August
06
Selection & semi-final
Eligible applications are reviewed and the strongest businesses progress to virtual pitching.
29 August
07
Grand Finale
Six finalists pitch live; the top three share ₦3 million in equity-free funding.
12 September · Lagos
Business Health Check
Understand your business before you pitch it.
The BHC is not an admission toll. It is a structured diagnostic that gives you a useful business result whether or not you progress in the competition.
Early bird · ₦7,500
SME Mall Women in Business Grant · Grand Finale
This is the stage WIBC 2026 builds on.
Funding & programme benefits
Equity-free capital. Practical business value.
First place · Grand Prize
₦1.5M
Equity-free. No ownership surrendered.
Second place
₦1 million
Equity-free. No ownership surrendered.
Third place
₦500,000
Equity-free. No ownership surrendered.
Trust & accountability
Know who is behind the programme.
WIBC is organised by The SME Mall. Payments are processed securely through Paystack, application data is protected and selection follows published criteria.
Official programme
Use womeninbusinessgrant.org and official SME Mall channels for programme information.
Secure payment
We will never ask you to pay into a personal account or share your card PIN.
Transparent selection
Payment provides the BHC diagnostic; it does not purchase selection or guarantee funding.
Real photos, not stock
From a previous SME Mall Women in Business Grant ceremony.
This is the programme WIBC 2026 builds on. We do not fabricate social proof — confirmed WIBC 2026 partner logos, judges and participant voices will appear here as they're finalised.
Questions before you begin
Straight answers.
If your payment succeeds but access does not open, keep your reference and contact support. Never pay twice.
Is registration free?+
Yes. Registering your interest is free. The Business Health Check is a separate, compulsory diagnostic required before the full WIBC application.
Why does the BHC cost ₦7,500?+
The early-bird fee pays for a structured 45-question business diagnostic and personalised results across six business pillars. The standard price is ₦10,000 after the promotion ends.
What do I receive after the BHC?+
You receive an overall health score, pillar-level scores, identified strengths and gaps, practical next steps and access to continue the WIBC application.
Does payment guarantee a prize or selection?+
No. Payment is for the Business Health Check. Selection depends on eligibility, a complete application, webinar participation and independent judging.
Can I keep my BHC result if I am not shortlisted?+
Yes. Your diagnostic result and business recommendations remain useful to you regardless of the competition outcome.
Who can apply?+
Women founders or business owners with a Nigerian business or qualifying business idea who can complete the required stages and attend mandatory dates.
What happens after payment?+
Your payment is verified securely, the BHC unlocks and you can complete the assessment. Your score then returns to your SME Mall application.
What if payment succeeds but BHC does not open?+
Do not pay twice. Keep your payment reference and contact official support so the transaction can be verified.
Are webinars compulsory?+
Yes. Published attendance requirements form part of eligibility for progression.
Is payment refundable?+
The BHC fee is non-refundable once access to the diagnostic has been provided. This does not affect your rights where a verified technical failure prevents delivery.
What are the key dates?+
Applications close 17 August, webinars run through August, the virtual semi-final is 29 August and the Lagos Grand Finale is 12 September 2026.
Who can I contact?+
Use the official SME Mall support channels shown on the Contact page. We will never request payment to a personal account.
Not ready to apply yet?
Join the WIBC community on WhatsApp.
Get application reminders, webinar updates and honest founder-to-founder conversation before you commit to anything.
Your first step is free
Ready to begin your WIBC journey?
Register your interest free. You will need to complete the ₦7,500 Business Health Check before submitting the full application.