Standard Chartered Boosts Investment In Its Futuremakers Women In Tech Programme Across Africa, The Middle East And Pakistan
Standard Chartered today announced a partnership with Village Capital to continue and expand its Futuremakers Women in Tech Accelerator across Africa, the Middle East, and Pakistan.
Part of Futuremakers by Standard Chartered Futuremakers, the Bank's global youth economic empowerment initiative for disadvantaged young people, and with funding from the Standard Chartered Foundation 1 , Futuremakers Women in Tech Accelerator will provide specialised training, catalytic funding, and access to a global network of peers, finance providers, industry leaders, and ecosystem partners.
Over three years, 400 women entrepreneurs will receive support to build thriving microbusinesses, create jobs, and drive lasting social and environmental impact. The initiative aims to provide more than 32 catalytic grants totalling almost USD1.9m and enable and support over 1,200 jobs. Delivered in collaboration with local expert implementing partners, the Accelerator will be available across 12 of Standard Chartered's markets, continuing in Bahrain, Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, UAE, and Zambia, and expanding to two new markets - Uganda and Egypt.
Tanuj Kapilashrami, Chief Strategy and Talent Officer at Standard Chartered , said: "Empowering women is critical to economic growth, and central to our stand of lifting participation by unleashing the financial potential of women and small businesses. We believe equitable access to funding and resources is essential to fostering innovation and driving meaningful social impact - whether it be through our Futuremakers philanthropic programmes, our banking propositions such as the SC Women's International Network, or the work we do towards supporting a diverse supplier base. Through the Futuremakers Women in Tech Accelerator, we are addressing the systemic challenges women microbusiness owners face, creating pathways for them to scale their businesses which will, in turn, help drive positive change in their communities."
Highlighting the partnership's impact, Rachel Crawford, Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer at Village Capital, said: "Our partnership with Standard Chartered is a gamechanger for women-led start-ups across Africa, the Middle East, and Pakistan. By providing critical resources, catalytic capital, and market-level support, we aim to drive inclusive economic growth and ensure that women entrepreneurs can scale their businesses and impact communities at a transformative level."