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
18d 18h 23m
applications close
12 Sep
grand finale
₦3 million
Total prize pool
Six
Live finalists
Six pillars
Business diagnosis
Three weekends
Capacity building
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
Know what you’ll gain and what you’ll need to do
See the benefits, requirements and key steps before you begin your WIBC journey
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 you need to do
- ＋Register your interest
- ＋Complete the ₦7,500 Business Health Check
- ＋Submit your business information and video pitch
- ＋Join optional 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 WIBC 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 the Business Health Check questions and receive a personalised business score across 6 business themes.
₦7,500 standard · ₦10,000 late
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
Join optional capacity-building sessions across the six business pillars.
Open to everyone
06
Selection & semi-final
Eligible applications are reviewed and the strongest businesses progress to virtual pitching.
5 September
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 helps you see where your business is doing well and where it needs attention. You’ll receive scores and practical guidance you can use, even if you don’t move to the next stage of WIBC.
₦7,500 standard · ₦10,000 late registration
SME Mall Women in Business Grant · Grand Finale
This is the stage WIBC 2026 builds on.
Partners and sponsors
Supporting the WIBC journey
Organisations working with The SME Mall to support women-led businesses through WIBC.
Testimonials
What past winners say
Real founders on what the SME Mall Women in Business Grant made possible for their businesses.
“The grant helped us expand our production capacity, create a wider range of footwear designs and acquire more tools. Beyond the funding, the panel sessions, pitch experience and feedback from the judges gave me valuable direction for growing my business.”
Comfort
Founder, Sustainable Fashion Brand
“Winning the first WIBC in 2024 was transformational for Dynalimb Technologies. The mentorship and guidance helped us strengthen the business, while the grant enabled us to grow our team, reach more customers and provide artificial limbs and medical braces to more people who need them. I am deeply grateful to The SME Mall.”
Blessing Aniefiok
Co-founder, Dynalimb Technologies
Funding & programme benefits
Equity-free capital. Practical business value.
First place · Grand Prize
₦1.5M
Funding to help move your business forward. Use the award to strengthen your operations, pursue growth and take the next step with your business.
Second place
₦1 million
Funding to help move your business forward. Use the award to strengthen your operations, pursue growth and take the next step with your business.
Third place
₦500,000
Funding to help move your business forward. Use the award to strengthen your operations, pursue growth and take the next step with your business.
Trust & accountability
Know who is behind the programme.
WIBC is organised by The SME Mall.
Questions before you begin
Got questions? Start here.
Find clear answers about registration, the BHC, payment, deadlines, webinars and what happens next.
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 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?+
No. WIBC webinars are optional capacity-building sessions open to everyone and do not determine competition eligibility or qualification.
Is payment refundable?+
Once your BHC access is active, the fee cannot be refunded. If a technical issue prevents you from accessing the BHC, contact support with your payment reference so the team can resolve it.
What are the key dates?+
Applications close 29 August, the virtual semi-final is 5 September 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.