Over 80 women entrepreneurs are participating in the newly launched Mata A Farka Incubator Programme in Abuja, marking the start of a six-week business development journey. The programme, whose name translates to "Women Arise," targets 100 women micro, small, and medium enterprise owners with a business idea or an existing business generating monthly revenue of less than one million naira. Its goal is to help participants formalize their operations, strengthen financial literacy and business acumen, and grow from nano to micro enterprises.
Launch Event and Support
The launch was supported by the Strong Women Network, which provided technical and community on-ground support, and One Health and Development Initiative (OHDI), whose financial backing directly supports women in agriculture and food systems participating in the programme. The day featured two standout sessions. Judith Nyior, a Business and Management Consultant, GIZ-Certified Master Trainer, and Tony Elumelu Foundation Mentor, led a high-energy practical session on moving from hustle to structure, keeping participants engaged from start to finish. Legal Space and Consult guided the women entrepreneurs through the foundations of business formalization, beginning with CAC registration.
Programme Structure
The Mata A Farka Incubator Programme is a Capstone project by 16 students of the 2026 School of Politics, Policy and Governance (SPPG) Programme. Training sessions will run every Saturday morning in a hybrid format and cover Financial Literacy and Money Management, Pricing for Profit and Tax Basics, Marketing and Digital Visibility, and Business Sustainability and Resilience over a six-week period. All participants are matched with a mentor and, upon graduation, gain access to a pool of donated funds and are encouraged to form a voluntary cooperative savings group.
In a statement, Team Lead Ajoke Adeola reflected on the significance of the occasion: "It is truly a privilege and an honour to launch this programme and support the incredible work each of these women is doing. Running a business in Nigeria is no small feat, and we salute your courage, resilience, and commitment. We are excited to embark on this journey with you."
