A major push to strengthen women’s economic participation in Nigeria will take centre stage on November 21, 2025, as the Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), in partnership with Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and the Sterling One Foundation, hosts the Women Investment Readiness Accelerator (WIRA) Demo Day.
The event marks the culmination of the WIRA programme, an initiative designed to close the long-standing capacity and financing gaps faced by women-led businesses across the country. The Demo Day will provide finalists—women entrepreneurs who have completed intensive weeks of training, mentorship, and investment readiness support—with the platform to pitch their ventures to targeted investors, development finance institutions, and key private-sector partners.
WIRA was established to address the persistent challenges that limit the growth of women-owned enterprises, including limited access to capital, technical advisory services, markets, and professional networks. Organisers say the programme equips participants with the strategic tools and confidence needed to scale sustainably in competitive markets.
Speaking ahead of the event, Dr. Tony Okpanachi, Managing Director/CEO of the Development Bank of Nigeria, described WIRA as a transformative step in driving inclusive economic growth.
“The WIRA programme represents a strong step toward unlocking the potential of women entrepreneurs who, for too long, have been underserved. At DBN, we recognize that empowering women-led MSMEs is essential for achieving inclusive economic growth,” he said. “The upcoming Demo Day is an opportunity to showcase the innovation and resilience these women bring to the Nigerian economy and to connect them with partners who can help bring their ideas to scale.”
Sterling One Foundation CEO, Olapeju Ibekwe, noted that the Demo Day demonstrates the Foundation’s commitment to broadening opportunities for women innovators.
“Our goal with WIRA has been to not only build business capacity but to expand the pathways to funding and visibility for women entrepreneurs,” she said. “The Demo Day is more than a pitch event — it is a platform that elevates women’s voices, celebrates their innovation, and links them with opportunities to grow their impact. We look forward to showcasing the remarkable progress these entrepreneurs have made.”
The event is expected to attract impact investors, commercial and development finance institutions, private-sector representatives, and key actors within the women entrepreneurship ecosystem.
About the Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN)
The Development Bank of Nigeria was established by the Federal Government in partnership with global development institutions to tackle critical financing challenges faced by Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). DBN provides financing and partial credit guarantees to eligible financial intermediaries on a sustainable and market-driven basis.
More information: devbankng.com
About the Sterling One Foundation
Sterling One Foundation is a non-profit organisation committed to addressing the root causes of poverty in Nigeria and across Africa through strategic interventions in health, education, climate action, and food security. Gender equality and women’s empowerment are integrated across all its programmes, with a strong emphasis on partnerships for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
More information: onefoundation.ng
About The Author
