WIRA Demo Day Empowers Nigeria’s Women Entrepreneurs

By Love Ikuku-Oyedokun

Lagos, Nigeria – November 21, 2025 – High-potential women entrepreneurs took the spotlight at the Women Investment Readiness Accelerator (WIRA) Demo Day, hosted by the Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), in partnership with Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and Sterling One Foundation.

Cablenews24 reports thatheld in Ilupeju, Lagos, the event brought together investors, business leaders, and ecosystem enablers to showcase and support women-led enterprises across agriculture, food processing, waste management, retail, tech, and fashion.

The WIRA program, funded by DBN, provided capacity-building, mentorship, and business development support to women entrepreneurs, addressing key challenges such as access to finance, market entry barriers, and mentorship gaps.

The pitch showcase was a major highlight, with entrepreneurs presenting scalable business models to potential investors and partners. For many, this was a transformational opportunity to secure funding and expand their ventures.

Dr. Tony Okpanachi, Managing Director/CEO of DBN, emphasized the program’s impact:
“Investing in women entrepreneurs delivers measurable economic and social returns. At DBN, we are committed to ensuring women-led MSMEs have access to financing, networks, and market opportunities for sustainable growth.”

Olapeju Ibekwe, CEO of Sterling One Foundation, added:
“These women are solution-builders, tackling real challenges with innovation. WIRA bridges the financing gap by providing not just training, but confidence and connections. Today’s pitches prove what’s possible when women are empowered to lead.”

Several entrepreneurs advanced to follow-up funding discussions, with investors acknowledging the viability and innovation of the showcased businesses.

With women owning nearly 60% of Nigeria’s SMEs yet facing disproportionate funding gaps, initiatives like WIRA are critical in unlocking their full economic potential. The program aligns with national and global goals for gender equality and inclusive development.

About the Sterling One Foundation
Sterling One Foundation (SOF) is a registered non-profit focused on tackling the root causes of poverty in Nigeria, and Africa through interventions and social impact programmes across three critical sectors namely: health, education and climate action & food security.

Gender Equality and women empowerment are integrated as a cross-cutting priority across all our programming areas. The Foundation’s programmes adopt a central theme of prioritizing partnerships for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

For more information visit onefoundation.ng
About the Development Bank of Nigeria
Development Bank of Nigeria was set up by the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) in
collaboration with global development partners to address the major financing challenges facing Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria.

Its objective is to alleviate financing constraints faced by MSMEs and small Corporates in Nigeria through the provision of financing and partial credit guarantees to eligible financial intermediaries on a market-conforming and fully financially sustainable basis. For more information visit: https://www.devbankng.com/

About Cablenews24:
CableNews24 is an online TV and newspaper website offering a dynamic mix of up-to-the-minute news, and insightful articles, We’re your trusted companion in navigating today’s fast-paced world. We delivers everything you need to stay connected. From local happenings to global events, we deliver news that matters…Join the CableNews24 experience – where news meets convenience.

CableNews24 – News, Anytime, Anywhere.

For Advertisement, Event Coverage/MC, Public Relations, Story/Article Publication, and other Media Services, kindly send an email to: cablenews24.com@gmail.com OR Kindly call: 08023535955 . To stay updated with the latest news stories, kindly visit cablenews24.com published by AAAANDREL GLOBAL SERVICES