₦3 million in equity-free funding.

1. Organiser

The Women in Business Competition is organised and administered by The SME Mall Limited.

2. Competition period

Applications close on 29 August 2026 at 11:59:59 PM West Africa Time. The Organiser may reasonably extend, shorten or amend a deadline and will announce material changes through official WIBC channels.

3. Eligibility

• Be a woman aged 18 or older.
• Be a Nigerian citizen or resident, or satisfy published location requirements.
• Be the founder, owner or authorised representative of the business.
• Provide complete, accurate and truthful information.
• Complete the Business Health Check and required application stages.
• Be available for interviews, reviews, the virtual semi-final and Grand Finale if selected.
• Not be an employee, judge or immediate family member of someone directly involved in organising or judging WIBC.
• Meet additional eligibility requirements published for the competition cycle.

4. Entry process

• Register your interest.
• Create an account.
• Pay for and complete the Business Health Check.
• Submit the completed application and required pitch video.
• Upload supporting documents where requested.
• Complete each required stage by its deadline. Late, incomplete or unverifiable applications may be rejected.

5. Entry fee

Registration of interest is free. The ₦7,500 payment is solely for access to the Business Health Check and related assessment services. Payment does not guarantee shortlisting, finalist selection or an award.

6. One-entry rule

Unless otherwise stated, each applicant may submit one application for one business. Duplicate, related or multiple entries may be rejected, merged or investigated.

7. Judging

Applications are assessed using the published judging criteria. Optional webinars are open to everyone and attendance does not affect eligibility, scoring or qualification.

• Eligibility screening and confirmation of BHC completion.
• Application scoring and pitch-video assessment.
• Interviews or clarification requests where necessary.
• Virtual semi-final assessment on 5 September 2026.
• Live finalist presentations.

8. Verification

The Organiser may request evidence concerning identity, business ownership, CAC registration, financial information, customer claims, intellectual property or other submitted information. Failure to provide satisfactory evidence in time may result in disqualification.

9. Finalists

• Attend the Grand Finale in Lagos.
• Deliver a live pitch.
• Submit updated business information where requested.
• Participate in reasonable publicity activities.
• Execute required finalist, publicity or award documentation.
• Meet communicated travel and participation requirements.

10. Awards

Planned awards are ₦1,500,000 for first place, ₦1,000,000 for second place and ₦500,000 for third place. Awards remain subject to eligibility and verification. Payment timelines, documentation, tax and reporting requirements will be communicated to recipients.

11. No guaranteed outcome

Completing the BHC or submitting an application does not guarantee shortlisting, finalist selection, funding, investment, grants, loans, mentorship, media exposure or a commercial relationship with the Organiser or its partners.

12. Code of conduct

Applicants must act professionally. Harassment, discrimination, abuse, dishonesty, bribery, intimidation, fraud or attempts to improperly influence the process may result in immediate disqualification.

13. Changes and cancellation

The Organiser may reasonably amend these Rules, adjust dates, replace judges or speakers, modify stages, postpone events or cancel the competition. Material changes will be communicated through official channels.

14. Decisions and complaints

Judges’ decisions on scoring, rankings and business merit are final. Complaints may concern failure to follow the published process, conflicts of interest, incorrect information processing, or a material technical or administrative error.

15. Disqualification

• False, misleading or incomplete information.
• Unauthorised use of another identity or business.
• Excess entries, plagiarism, forged documents or records.
• Improper influence of judges, reviewers or staff.
• Failure to satisfy eligibility, deadlines or requested verification.
• Unlawful, offensive or infringing content.
• Harassment, manipulation of the website, payment or judging process, or breach of these Rules or applicable law.

16. Submitted materials

You retain ownership of submitted business information and materials. You grant the Organiser a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free licence to review and assess them; share them with authorised judges; verify eligibility; administer WIBC; retain audit and dispute records; and use your name, business name, photographs, pitch excerpts and achievements for WIBC publicity. Participation does not transfer ownership of your business or intellectual property.

17. Acceptance

By submitting an application, you confirm that you have read, understood and accepted these Competition Rules, the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.