USD 600,00 in funding through the Women in Tech Accelerator 2026

The Standard Chartered Foundation’s Women in Tech Accelerator supports impact-creating, tech-enabled, women-led startups in building thriving businesses across Africa (Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda,  Zambia) the Middle East (Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, UAE), and Pakistan. The initiative helps to equip women-led startups with essential skills, funding, and networks to drive long-term impact. In 2026, more than USD 600,000 in grants will be distributed across these countries.

Benefits for startups

Peer Connections
Build relationships with a wide network of mentors and industry leaders within relevant sectors.

Funding
Access capital, with over USD 600,000 in grant funding distributed annually across markets.

Growth
Receive personalized development plans tailored to each entrepreneur’s needs.

Training
Strengthen investment-readiness through training that refines business models and growth strategies.

How the accelerator is delivered
The program will be delivered by local Implementing Partners in each participating country, ensuring tailored support and strong local ecosystem connections, with strategic guidance and coordination provided by Village Capital.

Requirements to apply
Applicants should have a women-led, impact-creating, or SDG-aligned business that is tech-enabled, with an established business model or service already in the market.

How to apply
Visit the website of a local partner below to learn more about the Women in Tech Accelerator in your country, and apply today!

The Dream Factory (Gaborone, Botswana): https://dreamfactory.africa/
The Ghana Climate Innovation Center (GCIC) (Accra, Ghana): https://ghanacic.ashesi.edu.gh/about-us/
iBizAfrica (Nairobi, Kenya): https://ibizafrica.strathmore.edu/
Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) (Lagos, Nigeria): https://edc.edu.ng/
Innovation Village (Kampala, Uganda): https://innovationvillage.africa/
BongoHive (Lusaka, Zambia): https://bongohive.co.zm/

For additional information about the program: https://vilcap.com/programs/women-in-tech-accelerator-2026