Women in Tech Accelerator 2026

Equipping women-led startups with essential skills, funding, and networks

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About the Program

The Standard Chartered Foundation’s Women in Tech Accelerator supports impact-creating, tech-enabled, women-led startups in building thriving businesses across Africa, the Middle East, and Pakistan.

Village Capital partners with supports local implementing partners in each market to strengthen program delivery through strategic guidance, technical assistance, and shared learning frameworks, ensuring founders receive high-quality, locally tailored support.

In its first year, the program distributed over USD 550K in grants to 21 women-led startups. The 2025 cohort collectively:

  • Reached nearly 16,000 new customers
  • Created more than 430 jobs
  • Increased revenues by USD 2.7M

In 2026, more than USD 600K in grants will be distributed across 12 markets: Bahrain, Botswana, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia*, South Africa*, UAE, Uganda, and Zambia.

*Note: Funding for Women in Tech Accelerator in Saudi Arabia and South Africa is provided by the local Standard Chartered Bank and not the Standard Chartered Foundation.

Overview

26
Closes June 30
Organizer Village Capital
Website Visit website
Targets
Bahrain, Botswana, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, Zambia
Sectors Sector agnostic
Partner Organization Village Capital image of Vilcap
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Who should apply?

Are you a woman leading an impact-creating, tech-enabled startup operating in  Bahrain, Botswana, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, UAE, Uganda, or Zambia?

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

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 600K 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.

Activity