Access Bank Nigeria $100M Loan for Female Entrepreneurs – Apply Now

In a bold move to empower women-led businesses and boost Nigeria’s economy, Access Bank Plc has launched a $100 million loan fund specifically targeting Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), with 30% of the facility earmarked for women entrepreneurs.

The announcement has sparked widespread praise from female business owners and advocacy groups across the country, especially those behind the trending #WEEWantMore campaign.

Empowering Nigerian Women in Business

This initiative is a major win for female entrepreneurs who have long faced systemic barriers in accessing loans, such as lack of collateral and limited access to formal financial institutions. The new funding will support privately-owned MSMEs, family-owned businesses, and startups, with a sharp focus on gender inclusion and economic empowerment.

The loan facility was secured in partnership with a consortium of global development finance institutions led by Germany’s DEG, and supported by FinDev Canada, ILX (Netherlands), and OeEB (Austria).

“This is the kind of bold, targeted commitment that women have been calling for,” said Joy Una, a gender advocate from Gatefield NGO. “For far too long, women have carried the economy on their backs while being locked out of the capital needed to grow their businesses.”

Women’s Voices Are Being Heard

The #WEEWantMore campaign, launched in April 2025, had gathered over 2,500 signatures from women entrepreneurs demanding easier access to credit and gender-focused financial solutions. Their voices appear to have been heard loud and clear.

“We count this as a win, but we won’t stop pushing until every financial institution in Nigeria sees women not as charity cases, but as the backbone of our economy,” said Fifehan Osikanlu, founder of Eden Group.

Access Bank’s W Power Loan – For Women, By Women

As part of its long-term support, Access Bank also offers the W Power Loan — a specially designed financing scheme for women-led businesses. It provides fast and flexible funding options, allowing female entrepreneurs to scale and stabilize their ventures.

For more details and how to apply, visit:
Access Bank W Power Loan Portal

Why This Matters

• Over 60% of Nigerian women entrepreneurs cite lack of funding as their biggest challenge.
• Despite owning more businesses than men, male-led companies still earn more revenue due to easier access to capital.
• This $100M facility could help bridge that gap and transform Nigeria’s business landscape.

Final Thoughts

Access Bank’s $100 million commitment is more than a loan; it’s a statement — that investing in women is investing in national growth. With this initiative, Access Bank has set the tone for the future of gender-inclusive finance in Africa.