SMEDAN GROWHer Accelerator Loan 2025 – The SMEDAN GROWHer Accelerator Programme 2025, launched by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), is designed to support women-owned businesses in Nigeria. This program is for women entrepreneurs who are eager to grow their businesses. It offers a range of support to help businesses grow in a sustainable way. Below, we explain the details of the program, who can apply, how to apply, and other important information to help potential applicants.
Program Description and Objectives
SMEDAN, created under the SMEDAN Act of 2003, is dedicated to promoting the growth of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria, focusing on inclusive economic growth. The GROWHer Accelerator Programme 2025 is a game-changing initiative aimed at helping women-led businesses grow, enter new markets, and secure funding. The program offers an impactful accelerator that includes expert mentorship from experienced industry leaders, practical business training through workshops, and valuable connections with investors, professionals, and other women entrepreneurs. It also provides ways to access capital for business growth and tools to expand into new markets, boosting visibility and customer reach.
​SMEDAN’s recent launch of the GROWHer Accelerator Programme 2025 highlights its dedication to promoting gender equality and women’s economic empowerment in Nigeria. This initiative aligns with national objectives to enhance women’s roles in the business sector. As of March 28, 2025, applications are open, with a submission deadline of April 4, 2025. Interested applicants should promptly prepare and submit the required documents to growher@smedan.gov.ng.
Eligibility Criteria
To participate, businesses must meet specific criteria, which are crucial for ensuring the program targets those with growth potential. The eligibility requirements, as outlined on the official SMEDAN website Accelerator Programme – SMEDAN, include:
- Market-Ready: The business must offer a product or service poised for growth, ready to scale in competitive markets.
- Women-Led: It must be founded or co-founded by a woman aged 18–50, ensuring the program directly benefits female entrepreneurs.
- Established: The business should have been operational for at least three years, a point of potential controversy as some news sources, such as a Leadership article dated March 21, 2025, suggest a two-year operational requirement. This discrepancy warrants clarification, with the official website leaning toward three years, suggesting applicants should prepare for the stricter criterion.
- Financially Active: The business must maintain an active business bank account, demonstrating financial health and operational viability.
- Nigeria-Based: It must be registered and functioning within Nigeria, ensuring alignment with national economic development goals.
This criteria ensures the program targets established, growth-oriented women-led businesses, though the operational years requirement remains a point of note for applicants to verify directly with SMEDAN.
Application Process and Requirements
The application process is straightforward, requiring the submission of specific documents via email. Applicants must prepare the following, as detailed on the SMEDAN website and corroborated by multiple sources:
| Document | Description |
|---|---|
| CAC Certificate | Proof of business registration in Nigeria |
| Proof of Business Ownership | E.g., Share Certificate or Memorandum of Association |
| Valid Government-Issued ID | E.g., Passport or Driver’s License |
| Business Bank Statement | Covering the last six months, showing financial activity |
| Product/Service Brochure or Catalogue | Detailing offerings, essential for market readiness |
| Brief Business Plan | Maximum two pages, outlining growth strategy and goals |
Applications must be sent to growher@smedan.gov.ng, with the deadline set for April 4, 2025. Early submission is advised to ensure consideration, given the proximity to the deadline and potential high demand.
Benefits and Rationale for Joining
The GROWHer Accelerator Programme is not merely a support mechanism but a catalyst for transformation. It equips participants with expert mentorship, providing insights from top industry leaders and successful entrepreneurs, which can be invaluable for strategic decision-making. Business training through hands-on workshops sharpens essential skills, while powerful networking opportunities connect participants with investors, industry experts, and like-minded women entrepreneurs, fostering collaborations and market access.
Funding opportunities are a significant draw, offering pathways to capital for expansion, which is often a barrier for women-led businesses. Market expansion strategies further enhance visibility, helping businesses tap into new customer bases, both locally and potentially internationally, leveraging trade agreements like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), as mentioned in related SMEDAN initiatives.
The program’s impact extends beyond individual success, contributing to national economic growth by empowering women, who, despite facing unique challenges, demonstrate resilience and creativity in business. This aligns with SMEDAN’s broader mission, as seen in other programs like the Advancement for Women in Agriculture, Agro-allied and Cottage Enterprises Program (AWAKE) and the Women In Self-employment Programme (WISE-P), indicating a consistent focus on female entrepreneurship.