IWD2026: Kuda MFB Offers Millions In Grants To Women-Led Food & Hospitality Businesses

As part of its Kuda for Her campaign for this year’s Women’s Month, Kuda Microfinance Bank (MFB) is inviting Lagos-based women entrepreneurs in the food and hospitality sector to pitch their businesses for a chance to receive ₦1 million in funding.

The Kuda for Her Pitch Challenge, which launched on March 10, 2026, will award ₦1 million each to four women-led businesses, giving them capital to scale.

According to the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), women own about 43% of micro and small enterprises in Nigeria, many of which are in the food, catering, and hospitality sectors. Yet, women entrepreneurs continue to face barriers to growth, particularly in accessing capital, with only about 23% of women-owned businesses in Nigeria currently having access to formal credit.

Women who run food or hospitality businesses can submit a pitch outlining their business and how the funding will help them grow. Applications are open until March 15, 2026.

The four grant recipients will be announced on March 27, 2026.

Emmanuel Femi-Adejobi, Senior Brand Manager at Kuda, mentioned that the campaign is designed to recognise and support women whose businesses shape everyday life in Nigerian cities.

“Many of the food and hospitality businesses that Nigerians rely on every day are built and run by women,” he said. “Through Kuda for Her, we’re supporting these hardworking entrepreneurs directly while also shining a light on the ambition and creativity behind the businesses they’ve built”

Women entrepreneurs who run food or hospitality businesses in Lagos can submit their pitches before March 15, 2026, at kuda.com/kuda-for-her/.