Across Nigeria, many women are building businesses with courage, skill, and determination, but continue to face barriers that limit their growth. From limited access to business development support and financial literacy training to the challenges of formalising their operations, many women-led nano and micro businesses struggle to move from survival to sustainability.
To help address this gap, the Mata A Farka Incubator Program has officially launched in Abuja, welcoming over 80 women entrepreneurs into a six-week business development journey designed to strengthen women-led MSMEs.
The programme, whose name loosely translates to “Women, Arise” or “Women, Wake Up,” targets 100 women MSME owners with either an existing business or a viable business idea. It is specifically designed for women-led enterprises generating less than one million naira in monthly revenue, with the goal of helping participants formalise their businesses, improve financial literacy, strengthen business management skills, and transition from nano to micro enterprises.
The launch was supported by the Strong Women Network, which provided technical and community-based support, and One Health and Development Initiative (OHDI), whose financial backing is supporting women in agriculture and food systems participating in the programme.
The opening day featured two key learning sessions. Judith Nyior, a Business and Management Consultant, GIZ-Certified Master Trainer, and Tony Elumelu Foundation Mentor, led a practical session on moving from hustle to structure, helping participants understand how to build more organised and sustainable businesses.
Legal Space and Consult also guided participants through the foundations of business formalisation, with a focus on Corporate Affairs Commission registration and the importance of building legally recognised businesses.
Speaking at the launch, Team Lead, Ajoke Adeola, described the programme as an important opportunity to support women who are building businesses despite the realities of Nigeria’s challenging business environment.
“It is truly a privilege and an honour to launch this programme and support the incredible work each of these women is doing. Running a business in Nigeria is no small feat, and we salute your courage, resilience, and commitment. We are excited to embark on this journey with you,” she said.
The Mata A Farka Incubator Program is a Capstone Project by 16 students of the 2026 School of Politics, Policy and Governance Programme. Training sessions will run every Saturday morning over a six-week period in a hybrid format.
The programme will cover key business development areas including Financial Literacy and Money Management, Pricing for Profit and Tax Basics, Marketing and Digital Visibility, and Business Sustainability and Resilience.
Beyond the training sessions, all participants will be matched with mentors to provide further guidance and support. Upon graduation, participants will also gain access to a pool of donated funds and will be encouraged to form a voluntary cooperative savings group to support continued business growth.
Through the Mata A Farka Incubator Program, the organisers hope to equip women entrepreneurs with the structure, confidence, knowledge, and support systems they need to grow sustainable businesses and contribute meaningfully to their communities and the wider economy.
For media inquiries or partnership opportunities, please contact the Mata A Farka communications team.
