Standard Chartered’s sixth Women in Tech Cohort target food security, health

The sixth cohort of Standard Chartered Women in Tech Nigeria Accelerator delivered in partnership with Village Capital and Enterprise Development Centre represents a departure from typical tech investment trends. While much of Africa’s startup ecosystem gravitates toward artificial intelligence features and fintech payments, these 12 entrepreneurs are tackling the fundamental challenges that have long hindered the continent’s progress: food security, healthcare access, financial exclusion, and education gaps. This is infrastructure for a functioning society, built by 12 female entrepreneurs who are solving some of the continent’s most pressing challenges.

Securing Food and Energy

In agriculture, Chinwendu Nweke is building Bridge Merchant, a revolutionizing supply chains to reduce post-harvest losses that cost Nigerian farmers billions annually.

Meanwhile, Ogheneosivwime Jehwe’s Mimshack Anointed powers rural communities and businesses with solar energy solutions, providing the electricity backbone essential for development.

A Healthcare Safety Net

The healthtech founders are improving access to care in practical ways. Blessing Aniefiok’s Dynalimb Technologies produces affordable prosthetics, helping amputees regain mobility. Kemi Olakunle’s HealthVest uses AI and savings wallets to make healthcare more affordable. Esther Eruchie’s FriendnPal provides mental health support in communities where these services are limited or stigmatized, while Sarah Andino’s Talktu offers speech therapy for children who might otherwise miss early intervention.

Digitizing the Informal Economy

In finance and commerce, Olapeju Nwanganga’s Ploutos Page is bringing Nigeria’s vast informal economy dominated by market women and small traders into the digital age. Linda Ekweogu’s TradeTracka builds trust mechanisms into e-commerce platforms, while Lilian Dike’s Spyce Social applies HR expertise to foster professional and personal connections that strengthen business networks.

Systemic Change, Not Luxury Apps

What unites these entrepreneurs is their focus on systemic change. They are not building luxury applications for Nigeria’s urban elite in suburban areas. Instead, they are designing platforms that serve smallholder farmers, amputees, market women, and students struggling to access quality education. Their technologies are engines of inclusion, designed to integrate millions of Nigerians into the formal, thriving economy.