By Chibuzor Alli
Alitheia Capital is targeting more than 300 high-potential women-led businesses in Nigeria with access to investors, lenders, markets and technical expertise as it moves to close the capital and capability gaps limiting their growth.
The gender-smart private equity firm said the initiative would be delivered through its W.O.M.A.N. 2026 programme in Lagos from 10 to 11 September, targeting businesses in manufacturing, agribusiness and nutrition.
The participating businesses have been screened based on revenue thresholds, formalisation status and demonstrated growth potential.
Alitheia said the programme was designed as a practical intervention to help women-led enterprises scale and contribute more significantly to Nigeria’s real economy.
Managing Partner of Alitheia Capital, Tokunboh Ishmael, said the programme was designed to address structural barriers preventing women entrepreneurs from turning existing business potential into sustainable growth.
“The gathering brings an ecosystem closer together to deliver systemic strategies that overcome challenges women face in labour markets and economic empowerment,” Ishmael said.
She said the businesses taking part already had revenues, customers and growth ambitions, but continued to face challenges accessing the resources needed to expand.
“The constraint is not ambition — it is access. W.O.M.A.N. 2026 is built to close that gap directly,” she said.
Alitheia targets capital access for women-led businesses
According to Alitheia, the intervention will connect participating businesses with investors, capital allocators, market makers and technical specialists.
The programme will provide practical support in investment readiness, financial management, governance, capital structuring, energy efficiency and cost reduction.
A structured speed consultancy session will also pair entrepreneurs with investors, lenders and advisers for one-on-one engagements focused on specific business and financing needs.
Alitheia said the programme would extend beyond the two-day event, with a cohort of participating businesses to be onboarded onto its Nzinga platform for 12 months of progress tracking.
The platform will monitor indicators including capital raised, jobs created and revenue growth, allowing Alitheia to assess the practical outcomes of the intervention.
W.O.M.A.N. 2026 introduces AI training
The programme will also expose participating businesses to artificial intelligence through a hands-on adoption bootcamp delivered by Google Hustle Academy.
The training is expected to help founders apply digital tools to their business operations and improve efficiency.
Alitheia said the combination of capital access, technical expertise and digital skills was intended to help participating businesses overcome some of the barriers limiting their ability to scale.
Programme focuses on three sectors
The businesses taking part are drawn from three areas considered central to Nigeria’s economic diversification.
They include agribusiness and value-chain operations, food processing and nutrition, and light manufacturing and packaging.
The third edition of W.O.M.A.N. is being supported by FCMB SheVentures, Airtel, StarSight, RenCom, LATC, Bank of Industry, FCDO Manufacturing Africa, Google Hustle Academy, the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund, SMEDAN and the Lagos State Ministry of Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment.
Alitheia Capital, which has more than $250m in assets under management, invests in growth-stage small and medium-sized businesses across Africa, with a deliberate focus on women-led and gender-diverse enterprises.
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