Standard Chartered Foundation has announced the opening of applications for the 2026 Women in Tech Accelerator in Ghana.

Now in its sixth year, the Standard Chartered Women in Tech Accelerator continues to build on its strong track record of empowering women-led, tech-enabled startups to scale sustainably and create meaningful impact within their communities.

In many fast-growing emerging economies, women are launching innovative, tech-enabled businesses that respond to community and market needs. However, many early-stage entrepreneurs operate within ecosystems designed for rapid scale rather than sustainable enterprise development, limiting their ability to build resilient business models, create quality jobs and drive long-term impact. Through the Women in Tech Accelerator, Standard Chartered Foundation is intentionally addressing this gap.

In partnership with Village Capital and implemented by Ashesi University’s Ghana Climate Innovation Centre (GCIC), the Women in Tech Accelerator provides catalytic grant funding, structured business training, and tailored mentorship, equipping entrepreneurs with the tools, networks, and confidence required to build resilient, revenue-generating enterprises that create jobs and deliver lasting economic and social impact.

Since its inception, the Standard Chartered Women in Tech Accelerator has delivered measurable results. Collectively, participating founders have:

▪ Added nearly 100,000 new customers
▪ Generated more than 125 jobs
▪ Increased revenues by GHS 3.8 million

Speaking about the programme, Mansa Nettey, Chief Executive of Standard Chartered Bank Ghana PLC, said, "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."

Also commenting on the programme, Pearl Esua-Mensah, Executive Director of the implementing organization, Ghana Climate Innovation Centre, added: "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.

Reflecting on her 2025 participation, Women in Tech alumna Yahaya Iddi Namawu Nasara Abecka Maimuna, Co-Founder of WaxFarm Ltd, based in Tamale, said: "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 myself the confidence we needed to thrive."

Women startup founders from participating markets are invited to apply now. Applications close on Tuesday 31^st March 2026 and successful applicants will participate in the Accelerator between April and August 2026.

Full details and eligibility criteria can be found at: https://scwomenintechgh.com                           

For more information or interview opportunities, please contact:

Asiedua Addae

Head, Corporate Affairs, Brand & Marketing

Tel: +233 302 669688

Asiedua.Addae@sc.com

About Standard Chartered Foundation

The Standard Chartered Foundation is a charitable organisation established by Standard Chartered in 2019. It is committed to helping tackle inequality by empowering under-served young people, especially women and people with disabilities. It sets the strategy for - and funds - youth employability and entrepreneurship programmes across Standard Chartered’s markets, helping young people access the skills, networks and support they need to secure decent work and grow their businesses. The Standard Chartered Foundation is a registered charity in England and Wales (charity number 1184946). See the website for more information: Standard Chartered Foundation

About Standard Chartered Bank Ghana PLC

Standard Chartered Bank Ghana PLC is Ghana’s premier bank established in 1896. We are part of a leading international banking group, with a presence in 53 of the world’s most dynamic markets. Our purpose is to drive commerce and prosperity through our unique diversity, and our heritage and values are expressed in our brand promise, here for good.

Standard Chartered Bank Ghana PLC is listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange.

Standard Chartered PLC is listed on the London and Hong Kong Stock Exchanges.

For more stories and expert opinions please visit Insights at sc.com. Follow Standard Chartered Bank Ghana PLC on Facebook.com/StandardCharteredGH, on Instagram StanChartGH or visit www.sc.com/gh.

About Village Capital

Village Capital is a global leader in impact investing, helping early-stage startups access the type of social and financial capital they need to grow – reshaping the supply and demand sides of capital flows as a result. Since 2009, Village Capital has directly supported more than 2,100 impact startups in 70 countries. Together, these founders have raised over $9.6B across economic mobility, environmental sustainability, and access to essential services. It has made 116 investments through its various affiliated funds, including Vilcap Investments, which has invested in 91 peer-selected companies. Additionally, 26,000 entrepreneurs have used its Abaca web app to take at least one assessment, helping them expand their access to financial capital. Learn more at www.vilcap.com and follow @villagecapital.

About Ghana Climate Innovation Centre

The Ghana Climate Innovation Centre (GCIC) is an institute of Ashesi University, and a pioneering business incubator with a unique focus on developing sustainable SME ventures and entrepreneurs in Ghana’s ‘Green Economy’. The centres mission is to develop and support an exceptional set of transformational entrepreneurs who are pioneering innovation and adaptive or mitigating solutions for economic resilience and climate change issues in Ghana.  The GCIC does this through the provision of premium business advisory and business mentoring services, technical support in the development, prototyping and testing of their innovation, as well as financial grants to qualifying SMEs within the incubator. Learn more at www.ghanacic.ashesi.edu.gh.