Applications are now open for the 2026 Standard Chartered Foundation Women in Tech Accelerator, and women-led, tech-enabled startups across Africa, the Middle East, and Pakistan have a limited window to step forward.
This is not a promise of someday. This is a call to action right now. The Standard Chartered Foundation, in partnership with Village Capital and local implementing partners in each market, is distributing over USD six hundred thousand in grant funding annually to founders who are building impact-creating, technology-driven businesses. If you are a woman leading a startup that solves real problems and you operate in Bahrain, Botswana, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, UAE, Uganda, or Zambia, this accelerator was designed specifically for you.
Selected founders do not just receive funding. They gain access to a powerful ecosystem of peer connections, mentors, and industry leaders who can open doors that would otherwise remain closed. Each entrepreneur receives a personalized development plan tailored to their startup’s specific stage and needs, along with intensive training designed to strengthen investment readiness by refining business models and growth strategies. The funding alone is significant, but the real value lies in what comes with it: credibility, contacts, and a clear pathway to the next level of scaling.
The accelerator is delivered through trusted local partners who understand each market intimately. In Botswana, the program is run by The Dream Factory. In Ghana, the Ghana Climate Innovation Center leads the charge. Nigeria’s program is delivered by the Enterprise Development Centre, while South African founders will work with WomHub. Uganda’s entrepreneurs are supported by Innovation Village, and Zambia’s applicants go through BongoHive. For Egypt and Kenya, applicants should visit the official webpage to confirm their local implementing partners, as well as for Bahrain, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
Here is what you must do immediately. Deadlines vary significantly by country, so you cannot assume you have weeks or even days. Visit the official webpage of the Standard Chartered Foundation Women in Tech Accelerator right now, check the deadline for your specific country, and submit your application. Do not wait until your pitch deck feels perfect. Do not wait for a better time. The founders who win grants are not the ones with the most experience or the biggest teams. They are the ones who apply. This is your moment to prove that youth, ambition, and a tech-enabled solution are enough. The Standard Chartered Foundation is ready to fund you. The only question is whether you are ready to raise your hand.
For more information and to apply, visit this page