Standard Chartered Bank has inducted the fifth cohort of women-led businesses into its Futuremakers Women in Tech program, which aims to equip female entrepreneurs with the tools, funding, and networks necessary to scale their technology-enabled ventures. The program, launched in 2020, has supported 74 businesses across various sectors, including agriculture, healthcare, tourism, manufacturing, and education technology. A total of 21 enterprises have received seed funding amounting to US$210,000 to date.
Delivering the keynote address at the induction ceremony, Second Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Matilda Asante-Asiedu, emphasized the significance of integrating women more fully into Ghana’s digital economy. She noted that while the nation has recorded significant progress in financial inclusion, active usage of these services, particularly among women and rural communities, remains low. This gap demands targeted initiatives such as Futuremakers, which provide not only access to capital but also the capacity to use it meaningfully.
The program combines business training, mentorship, and seed capital with a focus on tech-enabled and impact-driven businesses. The Ghana chapter is delivered in collaboration with the Ghana Climate Innovation Centre (GCIC), which leads recruitment, incubation, and technical assistance. Standard Chartered Bank’s Chief Financial Officer, Albert Larweh Asante, reaffirmed the bank’s long-term commitment to inclusive entrepreneurship, stating that “we do not just believe in inclusion, we invest in it.”
The 2025 cohort, comprising ten women-led businesses, joins an alumni network that spans multiple regions and industries. Beneficiaries gain access to a structured incubation process, capacity-building sessions, and a platform for regional visibility and investor engagement. The program responds to persistent structural barriers facing female entrepreneurs in Ghana, including access to finance, digital skills gaps, and regulatory hurdles.
The Futuremakers model adopts a holistic approach, offering end-to-end support tailored to the realities of women entrepreneurs operating in underserved or informal markets. Standard Chartered Bank has announced a renewed three-year investment in the program, aimed at deepening the scope and scaling the impact of the initiative. The bank will continue working closely with local and international partners to ensure that more women-led businesses in Ghana can leverage digital tools for growth and resilience.
The current cohort will undergo an intensive business acceleration process over the coming months, culminating in a final pitch competition. Selected finalists will receive additional seed funding and technical support to scale their solutions. The Second Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana encouraged stakeholders to commit to building a digital economy that works for everyone, not just by widening access, but by ensuring that access leads to value, transformation, and sustainable growth.