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DBN, Sterling One Foundation Collaborate to Boost Women’s Economic Leadership
By prince Benson Davies
The Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) and Sterling One Foundation recently partnered to host the Women Investment Readiness Accelerator (WIRA) Demo Day in Lagos, Nigeria. The event brought together investors, ecosystem leaders, and high-potential women entrepreneurs to showcase innovative business models and provide a platform for growth.
The WIRA program was designed to address systemic challenges limiting the growth of women-owned enterprises in Nigeria, including restricted access to finance, limited structured mentorship, and insufficient market entry support. Through the program, DBN and Sterling One Foundation provided women entrepreneurs with the resources, capacity, and visibility needed to thrive.
Dr. Tony Okpanachi, Managing Director/CEO of DBN, emphasized the importance of sustained investment in women-led enterprises, stating that “investing in women entrepreneurs yields measurable economic and social impact.” Olapeju Ibekwe, CEO of Sterling One Foundation, highlighted the significance of creating platforms that elevate women’s business leadership and visibility, noting that “the women we celebrated today are solutions-builders tackling real challenges with creativity and determination.”
The Demo Day featured a pitch showcase where entrepreneurs presented their refined, scalable business models to investors, financial institutions, and business support organizations. Several founders advanced to follow-up funding and advisory discussions, demonstrating the potential for growth and development.
The WIRA program aligns with broader national and global goals to accelerate gender-inclusive development. With women owning nearly 60% of Nigeria’s SMEs yet receiving disproportionately lower access to capital, DBN’s sustained investment in programs like WIRA demonstrates its commitment to unlocking the full economic potential of women entrepreneurs and advancing inclusive growth across Nigeria.
About the Partners
– Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN): A development bank set up by the Federal Government of Nigeria to address financing challenges facing Micro, Small, and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria.
– Sterling One Foundation (SOF): A registered non-profit focused on tackling the root causes of poverty in Nigeria and Africa through interventions and social impact programs across health, education, and climate action & food security.
