In a bold step to shape the future of Ghana’s innovation ecosystem and drive inclusive growth, Standard Chartered Bank Ghana PLC has inducted a new class of ten visionary women entrepreneurs into the fifth cohort of its Futuremakers Women in Tech (FWIT) Accelerator Program.
The induction ceremony, held at the bank’s head office, marked yet another milestone in Standard Chartered’s ongoing mission to champion gender inclusion and unlock opportunities for women-led tech ventures across the country.
The FWIT Accelerator Program, a flagship initiative under Standard Chartered’s global Futuremakers program, is funded by the Standard Chartered Foundation. Launched in 2020, the program is designed to equip women-led and women-owned tech-enabled micro-businesses with the essential tools, training and funding needed to scale their ventures and create significant social and environmental impact. It is implemented in partnership with Village Capital and the Ghana Climate Innovation Centre (GCIC) of Ashesi University.
At Standard Chartered, we don’t just believe in inclusion – we invest in it through our global community programme Futuremakers to drive long-term employability and entrepreneurship outcomes,” emphasised Albert Larweh Asante, Chief Finance Officer of Standard Chartered Bank Ghana. “Investing in microbusinesses has a significant social impact, and we know that when women are equipped to lead and innovate, entire communities rise and economies shift in powerful ways.”
The event was honored by the presence of Mrs. Matilda Asante-Asiedu, 2nd Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana, as Guest of Honor, who in her keynote address titled “Tech as a Tool for Accelerated Growth: A Focus on Women,” emphasised: “When women entrepreneurs thrive, economies grow stronger.
The FWIT program is not just about funding – it’s about unlocking potential, bridging gaps and creating a future where Ghana’s women-led businesses lead in innovation and sustainability. Today’s inductees represent the bold vision we need for an inclusive digital economy.”
Naa Adorkor Cudjoe, Independent Non-Executive Board Member of Standard Chartered Bank Ghana, delivered closing remarks, stating, “This programme has consistently revealed the extraordinary potential that exists when female entrepreneurs are supported. I’m pleased that through this programme, we are providing not only capital and capacity but also building a network of like-minded individuals – a vital ingredient in any entrepreneur’s growth journey.”
The ceremony also featured a program overview by Nabeel Adum-Atta, Director of Entrepreneurship, Partnerships & Investment at GCIC with distinguished guests included Hon. Dr. Mrs. Nora Bannerman- Abbot, CEO of Sleek Garments, Huzaifa Abdulai, General Manager of Achieve by Petra and Lady Omega Hammond, CEO of Ampersand Technologies who took the 10 selected female ‘tech-preneurs’ into a speed mentoring session in the second session of the induction event.
The 10 inducted businesses, poised to drive innovation and impact, are:
1. Wobil Technologies Ltd.: Designs and manufactures clean-tech agricultural machines to reduce grain losses and boost farmer incomes.
2. AgriEase Ltd: Provides a solar-powered automated cashew nut collection and separation system to minimise post-harvest losses and boost productivity for small-holder farmers.
3. LbH: An agri-platform offering “Buy Now, Pay Later” access to agricultural inputs and machinery for smallholder farmers.
4. MOCHCare: A digital platform for secure Maternal and Child Health Records, improving healthcare delivery by replacing paper records.
5. Gogo Plus Ltd: A cloud-based pharmacy management platform streamlining Africa’s pharmaceutical supply chain, enhancing drug traceability and patient safety.
6. Studio Mansa (previously Aesop Studios): Offers interconnected learning programs (Bloom, Design, Craft) to provide a comprehensive creative education foundation for children.
7. Education Tech/ Stem Foundation: Inspires young Africans to develop innovative projects using the STEMAIDE kit.
8. Waxfarm: Upcycles plastic waste into affordable, eco-friendly organic fertilizer for smallholder farmers using the Waxworm.
9. GreenHusk Innovations: Produces eco-friendly and affordable paper for packaging from corn husk, providing a sustainable alternative to wood pulp.
10. Gard Path Technologies: Addresses high animal mortality rates with specialized test kits for early disease diagnosis and accurate treatment.
These enterprises will now undergo a 12-week intensive incubation program featuring mentorship, funding access and market linkages. Participants will gain exclusive access to a large alumni network across the 13 markets where the program operates globally.
Since its inception, the FWIT Incubator has successfully supported 74 businesses across 4 cohorts, with 21 businesses receiving a total of USD 210,000 (equivalent in GHS) in equity-free grants to scale.
Globally, the Women in Tech program has supported more than 4,000 women across these markets, fostering transformation across diverse sectors including agriculture, health, education, renewable energy and sustainability.
Standard Chartered has boosted its investment in the program over the next three years to further equip women-led start-ups with essential skills, financing and networks to drive long-term impact.
Comments