Wema Bank has announced a N2 million business grant targeted at empowering women entrepreneurs in Nigeria. The grant will be issued through its women-focused platform, SARA by Wema, in collaboration with the upcoming SheCan Conference 6.0, set to hold on Friday, July 18, 2025, at Balmoral Hall, Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The announcement was made as part of Wema Bank’s ongoing commitment to support women-led businesses and promote inclusive economic growth. The SARA by Wema initiative is designed to help women in business by providing not only access to funds but also mentorship, advisory services, and a wide network of support across different industries.
More than 7,000 women are expected to attend this year’s SheCan Conference, which will focus on the theme “SheCan Do More”, highlighting the importance of empowering women to achieve more across business, technology, education, and leadership. The N2 million grant will be distributed among selected women-led small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) within the SARA community.
Ayodele Olojede, Head of Retail and SME Banking at Wema Bank, said the bank believes in the power of women to transform their communities and the broader economy. “Wema Bank is committed to empowering women entrepreneurs by providing the financial backing, tools, training, and networks they need to scale sustainably. This partnership with SheCan is a statement of belief in the power of women to transform society,” she said.
According to Olojede, the bank sees the grant as more than just financial aid. “It is an investment in long-term business growth and personal development. Through SARA, we are offering holistic support—combining funding with business advisory, self-development resources, and networking opportunities that enable real transformation for women-led enterprises,” she added.
The SARA by Wema platform, launched to serve as a community and financial ecosystem for women, has been instrumental in offering digital and financial literacy programs, wellness support, business clinics, and regular masterclasses. Through this platform, Wema Bank aims to bridge the gender gap in financial access and business knowledge, especially for women in underserved communities.
The SheCan Conference, now in its sixth edition, has grown into a major empowerment platform bringing together thousands of women from all walks of life—entrepreneurs, students, professionals, and public sector leaders—to share experiences and learn from experts. It has served as a springboard for women to gain insights on business development, innovation, and leadership skills needed to thrive in today’s dynamic economic environment.
Organizers of SheCan Nigeria, the non-profit behind the conference, said the event’s goal this year is to “help women realize they can do more than they thought possible,” through support, exposure, and targeted capacity-building.
One of the participants in last year’s edition, Chinwe Adebayo, who runs a fashion and lifestyle business in Ikeja, Lagos, said attending the SheCan conference gave her new business ideas and helped her access new markets. “I got connected to women in logistics, branding, and tech. It opened my eyes to what is possible if you have the right network and tools,” she said.
With this year’s N2 million grant and partnership with SheCan, Wema Bank is setting the stage for more impactful interventions. Interested women entrepreneurs already within the SARA community are encouraged to apply for the business grant and participate in the upcoming event, which will feature panel discussions, keynote speeches, and breakout sessions led by successful female entrepreneurs, tech leaders, financial experts, and change-makers.
Wema Bank’s move reflects a wider push in the Nigerian banking sector to offer gender-sensitive financial products and support platforms that directly improve women’s participation in business and the formal economy. With more women owning businesses in Nigeria, targeted financial backing and mentorship could play a key role in boosting Nigeria’s SME sector.
