Access to capital, visibility, and credible investor pathways remains one of the most persistent barriers facing women entrepreneurs in Nigeria.
Addressing this gap came into sharp focus on November 21, 2025, when the Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), with support from Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and Sterling One Foundation, convened investors, ecosystem leaders, and high-potential women-led enterprises for the Women Investment Readiness Accelerator (WIRA) Demo Day in Ilupeju, Lagos.
The event reinforced DBN’s strategic role in deepening Nigeria’s MSME ecosystem, with a deliberate emphasis on unlocking growth opportunities for women founders who continue to play an outsized role in job creation, innovation, and inclusive economic development.
The Demo Day also marked the culmination of an intensive accelerator programme funded and driven by DBN, delivering structured capacity-building, tailored mentorship, and practical business development support to women entrepreneurs operating across agriculture, food processing, waste management, retail, technology, fashion, and other high-impact sectors.
A highlight of the day was the pitch showcase, where entrepreneurs presented their refined, scalable business models to investors, financial institutions, and business support organizations.
For many, this moment represented a direct pathway to funding, partnerships, and expansion, opportunities made possible through DBN’s sustained investment in building a stronger, more equitable entrepreneurial landscape.
The WIRA program was launched to address systemic challenges that continue to limit the growth of women-owned enterprises in Nigeria, including restricted access to finance, limited structured mentorship, and insufficient market entry support.
Through WIRA, DBN and Sterling One Foundation are directly tackling these barriers by ensuring women entrepreneurs gain the resources, capacity, and visibility they need to thrive.
Speaking during the Demo Day, Dr. Tony Okpanachi, Managing Director/CEO of Development Bank of Nigeria Plc, emphasized the importance of sustained investment in women-led enterprises: “What we witnessed here today confirms that investing in women entrepreneurs yields measurable economic and social impact.
“Their businesses are innovative, resilient, and positioned for scale. At DBN, we remain committed to ensuring that women-led MSMEs have access not just to financing, but to the knowledge, networks, and market opportunities that enable sustainability and growth. This Demo Day is a clear step forward in strengthening Nigeria’s entrepreneurial landscape.”
Also speaking at the event, Olapeju Ibekwe, CEO of Sterling One Foundation, highlighted the significance of creating platforms that elevate women’s business leadership and visibility: “The women we celebrated today are solutions-builders. They are tackling real challenges with creativity and determination. But potential alone is not enough, support, connections, and capital are essential.
“Through WIRA, our goal has been to close the financing and opportunity gap by providing more than training — we provided guidance, confidence, and access. Today’s pitches are proof of what happens when women are empowered to take up space and lead boldly.”
Investor partners and business support organizations present acknowledged the quality and viability of the enterprises showcased, with several founders advancing to follow-up funding and advisory discussions.
The WIRA program remains aligned with broader national and global goals to accelerate gender-inclusive development.
With women owning nearly 60% of Nigeria’s SMEs yet receiving disproportionately lower access to capital, DBN’s sustained investment in programs like WIRA demonstrates its commitment to unlocking the full economic potential of women entrepreneurs and advancing inclusive growth across Nigeria.
