This initiative highlights Innovate UK’s support for the critical contributions of grassroots women innovators in Nigeria to the economy and the broader innovation ecosystem.

The #MoreThanAWoman initiative was successfully piloted in South Africa in 2022/3, and the success of the programme was then rolled out to both Nigeria and Kenya this year. 

Under the #MoreThanAWoman initiative, selected women innovators from a pool of over 100 applicants received pitch training and intensive business planning training leveraging Innovate UK’s Innovation Canvas.

Speaking on the campaign, Chidubem Ejezie, Knowledge Transfer Manager – Global Alliance Africa, Nigeria, said: “Listening to the incredible innovations being led by the early-stage women entrepreneurs in their communities reminds me of the untold stories of grit, hard work, and perseverance among Nigerian (African) women. 

“The #MorethanaWoman Initiative is just peaking, and I look forward to hearing more of these untold stories and exploring how we can better support women in their innovation journeys.”

Award Winners

Following the pitch and business planning training, the More Than A Woman final pitch event was held to select the winners for the initiative. 

After the pitches, judges’ questions and selection, the winners for the two award categories “Most Potential for Impact and Best Pitch” were announced.

Most Potential for Impact was awarded to Fidi Lewi, the founder of Difian Global Concepts Ltd. Difian Global Concepts Ltd is a producer of high-quality powdered tomatoes. 

They aim to significantly reduce post-harvest loss and transform the way people access and consume tomatoes by offering a convenient, long lasting, and flavourful alternative to fresh tomatoes.

Best Pitch was to Odunola Olabintan, the founder of The Health City. The Health City is a tech-enabled social enterprise that provides preventive health services and education especially for adolescents and young people. 

Through its website, they provide health education and services for adolescents and young people to reduce the incidence and prevalence of chronic non-communicable and infectious diseases. 

The innovators will receive support and guidance from Innovate UK, as well as business planning and pitch training and will also have the opportunity to network with key investors and ecosystem players.

Other Finalists

1. Aisha Lawal – founder, Aisha Poultry Products and Agribusiness
2. Jummai Victor – founder, Top-City
3. Sidikat Folami – CEO, Mateen Lander Resources

Innovate UK will continue to support these women innovators by connecting them to mentors in the UK and providing unique networking opportunities with prominent investors and ecosystem leaders.

The #MorethanaWoman campaign continues to highlight the transformative potential of women-led enterprises in Africa.

Through initiatives like this, Innovate UK Global Alliance Africa is dedicated to empowering female innovators and strengthening networks within Africa’s dynamic innovation landscape.

To further catalyse impact in the sector, Innovate UK have launched Round 10 of the Energy Catalyst, which will award up to £10million of support to clean energy innovations via the UK’s Transforming Energy Access (TEA) platform, which is part of the Ayrton Fund.

Energy Catalyst is an Innovate UK programme co-funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and other UK Departments, Funds and Research Councils, to accelerate the innovation needed to end energy poverty in Africa and Asia. 

The competition is open and we encourage eligible organizations to apply for the stages that they best qualify for.

Typically, applications need to be submitted by a UK registered entity, although project participants and even the technical lead can come from any country.

Nigerian firms either need to have a UK partner, or to find one. Match funding will be provided to early, mid and late-stage research and innovation projects developing new clean energy technologies and solutions.

In total, FCDO have funded 12 projects in Nigeria totalling c.£5.1m.

A brokerage event for Energy Catalyst Round 10 in Abuja was held recently where companies had the opportunity to meet potential partners.

Interested organizations can still identify potential partners via a virtual brokerage platform – the B2Match platform.

FCDO said it is looking forward to projects that will be funded in this round that complements current clean energy innovations and further delivers on Nigeria’s energy access commitments and ambitions.

Deadline:

You are encouraged to apply by the close of application on June 28, 2023. More details can be assessed here.

Other relevant links: Highlights from the Global Alliance Africa Nigeria Energy Catalyst Competition Information Event – Innovate UK KTN (ktn-uk.org); Ayrton Fund – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk); Transforming Energy Access (TEA) – supporting renewable energy projects, energy access and green technologies in Africa and Asia. (carbontrust.com); Energy Catalyst (ukri.org)