The Standard Chartered Foundation has officially opened applications for the 2026 Women in Tech Accelerator in Ghana, reaffirming its commitment to empowering women-led, tech-enabled startups to scale sustainably and create meaningful impact.
Now in its sixth year, the Women in Tech Accelerator has established itself as one of the most impactful platforms for supporting female entrepreneurs in Ghana’s growing innovation ecosystem. Designed to address structural barriers that limit the growth of women-led businesses, the programme focuses on building resilient enterprises capable of generating revenue, creating jobs, and delivering long-term social and economic value.
In many fast-growing emerging economies, women are launching innovative, tech-enabled businesses that respond directly to community and market needs. However, many early-stage entrepreneurs operate within ecosystems designed for rapid scale rather than sustainable enterprise development. This often restricts their ability to develop strong business models, attract patient capital, and build durable companies.
Through the Women in Tech Accelerator, the Standard Chartered Foundation is intentionally addressing this gap.
Strategic Partnerships Driving Impact
The programme is delivered in partnership with Village Capital and implemented locally by Ashesi University’s Ghana Climate Innovation Centre. This collaboration combines global expertise in venture development with local knowledge of Ghana’s entrepreneurial landscape.
Participating founders receive catalytic grant funding, structured business training, and tailored mentorship. Beyond financial support, the accelerator offers entrepreneurs access to critical networks, strategic advisory services, and confidence-building opportunities that help position their ventures for long-term success.
The design of the programme recognizes that funding alone is not enough. By combining capital with capacity-building and mentorship, the Women in Tech Accelerator ensures that founders are equipped to navigate challenges, strengthen operations, and build sustainable enterprises that contribute meaningfully to their communities.
Measurable Results and Growing Influence
Since its inception, the Women in Tech Accelerator has delivered measurable outcomes that demonstrate its effectiveness.
Collectively, participating founders have added nearly 100,000 new customers to their businesses. They have generated more than 125 jobs and increased revenues by GHS 3.8 million. These figures underscore the tangible economic contribution of women-led startups when provided with the right support structures.
The impact extends beyond numbers. Many of the supported ventures operate in sectors that directly address pressing societal needs, including agriculture, climate innovation, financial inclusion, and digital services. By strengthening these enterprises, the programme contributes not only to business growth but also to broader community development.
Leadership Commitment to Inclusion
Speaking about the programme, Mansa Nettey, Chief Executive of Standard Chartered Bank Ghana PLC, highlighted the importance of closing persistent gender gaps in business.
“Persistent inequalities in Ghana and across the region continue to limit the growth of women-led businesses. Yet we know that empowering women is critical not only to economic growth but also to the prosperity of entire communities. Through our ongoing partnership with Village Capital and with support from Ashesi University’s Ghana Climate Innovation Centre (GCIC), the Women in Tech Accelerator is designed to drive meaningful change and promote inclusion. Building on last year’s success, we look forward to the positive impact that the 2026 cohort will create across their businesses and communities.”
Mansa Nettey
Her remarks reflect a broader recognition that inclusive economic growth depends on unlocking the full potential of women entrepreneurs. By providing access to resources and networks traditionally dominated by men, the accelerator aims to level the playing field and stimulate innovation across sectors.
Implementing Partners Express Confidence
Pearl Esua-Mensah, Executive Director of the implementing organisation, Ghana Climate Innovation Centre, also expressed optimism about the upcoming cohort.
“We are thrilled to continue supporting women entrepreneurs through the Women in Tech Accelerator. This program not only equips participants with the tools and knowledge to scale their businesses but also strengthens their ability to create sustainable impact within their communities. We look forward to seeing how the 2026 cohort leverages this opportunity to drive innovation and growth.”
Pearl Esua-Mensah
Her statement highlights the programme’s dual focus on business scalability and community impact. By strengthening operational capacity and leadership skills, the accelerator ensures that participants are positioned to expand responsibly while maintaining strong social impact objectives.
Alumni Testimony Reflects Transformational Impact
The true measure of any accelerator lies in the experiences of its participants. For many alumni, the Women in Tech Accelerator has been transformative.
Reflecting on her 2025 participation, Women in Tech alumna Yahaya Iddi Namawu Nasara Abecka Maimuna, Co-Founder of WaxFarm Ltd, based in Tamale, shared her experience.
“The Women in Tech Accelerator transformed the future of our business far beyond my hopes and expectations. While the funding was important in enabling us to scale, it is the wrap-around support that has given my team and me the confidence we needed to thrive.”
Her testimony underscores a recurring theme among alumni. While grant funding plays a critical role in scaling operations, it is often the mentorship, peer learning, and structured guidance that create lasting transformation.
The 2026 Cohort
As applications open for the 2026 cohort, expectations are high for another group of innovative women founders ready to expand their impact. With a strong track record and a growing alumni network, the Women in Tech Accelerator continues to strengthen Ghana’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
By addressing systemic barriers and providing integrated support, the Standard Chartered Foundation is not only boosting individual businesses but also contributing to inclusive economic growth across the country.
For aspiring women tech founders, the 2026 Women in Tech Accelerator represents more than an opportunity for funding. It offers a pathway to resilience, sustainable growth, and meaningful change within their communities.
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