Alitheia Capital is preparing to connect more than 300 women-led businesses in Nigeria with investors, lenders, markets and technical specialists through the 2026 edition of its W.O.M.A.N. programme.

The two-day programme is scheduled to take place in Lagos from September 10 to 11, 2026, with participating businesses drawn from manufacturing, agribusiness and nutrition.

According to Alitheia Capital, the businesses selected for the programme have undergone screening based on revenue thresholds, their level of formalisation and evidence of growth potential.

W.O.M.A.N. 2026 is aimed at tackling challenges associated with access to capital and business capabilities. Entrepreneurs will receive practical support covering investment readiness, financial management, governance, capital structuring, energy efficiency and cost reduction.

Another central element of the programme will be the introduction of participating businesses to investors, capital allocators, market makers and technical specialists. Entrepreneurs will also take part in a structured speed consultancy session, providing opportunities for one-on-one discussions with investors, lenders and advisers about their individual business and financing requirements.

Alitheia Capital Managing Partner, Tokunboh Ishmael, said the initiative was established to tackle structural barriers that hinder women entrepreneurs from converting existing business opportunities into sustainable growth.

She said the participating businesses already have revenues, customers and ambitions for expansion, but access remains a significant constraint.

Participants will additionally gain practical exposure to artificial intelligence through a hands-on adoption bootcamp delivered by Google Hustle Academy. The training will help business owners apply digital tools within their operations as part of the wider programme.

Beyond the two-day event, the W.O.M.A.N. platform offers year-round digital learning through the Nzinga platform. Its learning areas include financial management, investor readiness, growth planning, ESG and compliance, export readiness and green manufacturing.

The businesses taking part in the programme are concentrated in three areas: agribusiness and value-chain operations; food processing and nutrition; and light manufacturing and packaging.

Through these areas, the programme maintains its wider objective of strengthening women-led enterprises operating within Nigeria’s real economy.

Support will continue after the Lagos event, with Alitheia Capital stating that a cohort of participating businesses will be onboarded onto its Nzinga platform for 12 months of progress tracking.

During that period, the platform will monitor indicators such as capital raised, jobs created and revenue growth, enabling the organisation to assess the intervention’s outcomes over time.

The third edition of W.O.M.A.N. has the backing of FCMB SheVentures, Airtel, StarSight, RenCom, LATC, Bank of Industry, FCDO Manufacturing Africa, Google Hustle Academy, Lagos State Employment Trust Fund, SMEDAN and the Lagos State Ministry of Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment.

Alitheia Capital has more than $250 million in assets under management and invests in growth-stage small and medium-sized businesses across Africa, with particular focus on women-led and gender-diverse enterprises.

Source: msmeafricaonline.com