Lagos, Nigeria – July 11, 2025
At the 10th Anniversary celebration of Lagos Startup Week, the RevUp Women Initiative officially launched its Nigeria Edition—marking a major step forward in the mission to empower women entrepreneurs across Africa through targeted enterprise development, mentorship, and access to funding.
Following the success of its inaugural cohort, which supported 459 women-led businesses across Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Cameroon, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, the initiative is now bringing its impact home to Nigeria with a focus on key sectors: agribusiness and e-commerce.
The first edition generated more than 2,400 jobs, provided critical business training and digital skills, and awarded $10,000 grants to ten standout entrepreneurs, proving the power of tailored investment in African women-led enterprises.
Nigeria Edition: Deepening Impact in Key Regions
The Nigeria Edition will support 150 women-led startups in Lagos, Abuja, and Abia. Six top-performing participants will receive a share of $24,000 in grant funding. The program also connects participants with mentors, industry leaders, and a wider ecosystem to build sustainable and scalable ventures.
“We’ve seen how the right support can transform women-led startups into high-impact businesses,” said Nanko Madu, Director of Programs at AfriLabs. “With this new phase, we are doubling down on impact and inclusivity to ensure more Nigerian women have the visibility, networks, and resources to thrive.”
A Broader Vision for Africa
“Small businesses represent 90% of all companies and nearly 70% of jobs and GDP globally,” added Chukwudi Onike, Program Officer at Visa Foundation. “With our partnership with AfriLabs, we’re committed to ensuring that African women entrepreneurs get access to capital, tools, and skills to succeed.”
Applications Now Open
The application window runs from July 11 to August 8, 2025. Interested participants can apply at www.revupwomen.com.
RevUp Women aims to empower 50,000 women-led businesses and create over 152,000 jobs across Africa in the coming years—establishing itself as a key player in the continent’s inclusive innovation ecosystem.
About RevUp Women Initiative
RevUp Women is a Pan-African initiative supporting women entrepreneurs with tailored training, mentorship, and funding access. It aims to close the gender gap in enterprise and build a stronger, more inclusive economy.
About AfriLabs
AfriLabs is a leading network of innovation hubs across Africa. Since 2011, it has championed entrepreneurship, digital transformation, and inclusive development by providing funding, capacity building, policy advocacy, and community engagement in more than 50 countries.
