Following the success and impact of its inaugural cohort, the RevUp Women Initiative is proud to announce the official launch of RevUp Women Initiative: Nigeria Edition on July 11 during the 10th year Anniversary of Lagos Startup Week organized by Prime Startups. Launching the program in Nigeria represents a significant milestone in the initiative’s mission to empower women-led businesses through a combination of enterprise development, strategic mentorship, and access to funding. 

With it’s first edition now completed, the RevUp Women Initiative has proven that targeted investment in women entrepreneurs yields transformative results. The first edition supported 459 women entrepreneurs from 5 African countries—Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Cameroon, and the Democratic Republic of Congo—creating 2,426 jobs and providing access to critical resources, including training on business models, financial management, and digital tools; positioning them for sustained growth and long-term success. Ten participants were awarded  $10,000 each in grants and accessed mentorship from a global community to support their growth.  

Building on this achievement, the RevUp Women Initiative: Nigeria Edition will support 150 women-led businesses in Lagos, Abuja, and Abia, with a focus on Agribusiness and E-commerce sectors, which are key industries for economic growth and innovation.  The program’s participants will connect with successful women entrepreneurs, and six outstanding participants will be considered for grant funding, totaling $24,000 and distributed among the selected awardees.  

“We’ve seen firsthand how intentional support and access to the right tools and networks can shift the trajectory of women-led businesses, not just helping them survive but thrive. Through tailored capacity building, mentorship, and meaningful partnerships, we’ve watched ideas turn into impactful ventures. With this new phase, we are doubling down on both impact and inclusivity, ensuring that more women across Nigeria have the resources, visibility, and community they need to grow scalable, sustainable businesses and become key players in the innovation ecosystem.”— Nanko Madu, Director of Programs at AfriLabs  

“Small businesses represent 90% of all companies, and account for nearly 70% of both jobs and GDP worldwide. With such a large footprint, they are an integral part of our global economy’s fabric and can’t be overlooked,” said Chukwudi Onike, Program Officer, Visa Foundation. “At Visa Foundation, we are focused on empowering SMBs and entrepreneurs with access to capital, digital tools and financial skills to grow and thrive. Our partnership with AfriLabs helps us reach more entrepreneurs in need of support, including women entrepreneurs.” 

Applications for the Rev Up Women Initiative: Nigeria Edition will be open from July 11 to August 8, 2025. Interested participants are encouraged to visit the official website at www.revupwomen.com to stay updated and prepare for the application launch.  

The RevUp Women Initiative remains committed to supporting Africa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, with an ambitious long-term goal of supporting 50,000 women-led enterprises and creating over 152,000 jobs. With a strong foundation laid and an enthusiastic cohort of trailblazing women ready to step forward, this next edition promises to push boundaries and unlock even greater impact. 

About RevUp Women Initiative 

RevUp Women is an initiative dedicated to empowering women entrepreneurs across Africa. Through mentorship, training, and access to resources, RevUp Women provides women with the support they need to start and grow successful businesses, driving economic growth and fostering gender equality. Learn more at RevUp Women. 

About AfriLabs 

AfriLabs is an innovation-focused organization established in 2011 to empower a community of innovation hubs and stakeholders across Africa. Our mission is to support these hubs in nurturing high-potential entrepreneurs, driving economic growth, and fostering social development across the continent. Through capacity building, financing, networking, policy advocacy, and reliable data provision, AfriLabs works to create a thriving innovation economy in Africa. Our goal is to equip entrepreneurs with essential skills and resources for sustainable development within the tech and innovation landscape.   

For more information about AfriLabs and the Rev Up Women initiative, visit www.afrilabs.com & RevUp Women  

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