Sterling Bank ₦20 Billion Women Funding 2026: Apply for Up to ₦75 Million
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- Category: Loans
- Published on Saturday, 08 August 2026 15:27
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Women entrepreneurs in Nigeria looking for business funding have another financing opportunity to consider.
Sterling Bank, in partnership with the Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), is providing access to a ₦20 billion funding pool for women-owned and women-led businesses in Nigeria.
Under the scheme, eligible businesses can access up to ₦75 million in business financing, depending on their eligibility, financing needs and the bank's assessment.
The funding is designed to help women-owned businesses expand, purchase assets, improve operations and take advantage of new growth opportunities.
The official Sterling Bank application page is currently live.
Application status: Open
Funding available: Up to ₦75 million
Total funding pool: ₦20 billion
Target applicants: Women-owned and women-led businesses in Nigeria
What is the Sterling Bank and DBN ₦20 Billion Women Business Funding Scheme?
The Sterling Women Empower Fund (SWEF) is a financing initiative under Sterling Bank's OneWoman proposition for women.
Through its partnership with the Development Bank of Nigeria, Sterling Bank is making financing available to eligible women-led businesses across Nigeria.
Unlike a conventional business grant, this is a business loan and financing opportunity. Successful applicants are expected to meet the relevant lending requirements and repay the facility according to the agreed terms.
The funding can support businesses that need capital to expand, acquire business assets or strengthen their operations.
Sterling Bank says the initiative is designed to address some of the financing challenges faced by women entrepreneurs and help businesses move from survival to sustainable growth.
How Much Can You Get?
Eligible businesses can access financing of up to ₦75 million.
However, this does not mean every applicant will automatically receive ₦75 million.
The amount approved will depend on factors such as the type of facility, the applicant's business, financing requirement, credit assessment and applicable lending conditions.
Sterling Bank's published information provides different financing limits for different categories of borrowers.
First-time borrowers
First-time customers may be eligible for:
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Up to ₦15 million unsecured financing
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Up to ₦35 million secured financing
Returning customers
Returning customers may be eligible for:
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Up to ₦40 million unsecured financing
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Up to ₦75 million secured financing
There is also an asset finance facility of up to ₦50 million for eligible businesses seeking to acquire business assets.
This makes the programme particularly relevant to established businesses that need substantial working capital or financing for expansion.
Who Can Apply?
The funding is targeted at women-owned and women-led businesses operating in Nigeria.
According to Sterling Bank, a business may qualify if it meets at least one of the following ownership or leadership conditions:
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At least 51% of the business is owned by a woman or women.
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At least 20% is owned by women, with a woman serving in a key leadership position such as CEO, COO, Managing Director or Vice President.
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At least 30% of the board members are women, where the business has a board.
The business must also be registered in Nigeria and operate within an eligible sector.
Which Businesses Can Benefit?
The funding is intended for businesses operating in several important sectors of the Nigerian economy.
These include:
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Agriculture
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Healthcare
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Education
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Manufacturing
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Fashion
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Food and beverage
Women entrepreneurs operating businesses in these sectors may therefore consider the scheme if they require additional capital for expansion or asset acquisition.
What Can the Funding Be Used For?
Business financing can be useful for several legitimate business purposes.
Depending on the facility approved, the funding may help a business to:
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Increase stock and inventory
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Purchase equipment and machinery
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Expand an existing business
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Improve business operations
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Acquire productive assets
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Increase production capacity
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Open additional business locations
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Strengthen working capital
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Take advantage of new business opportunities
Applicants should clearly explain what the money will be used for because lenders need to understand the purpose of the financing and the business's ability to repay it.
Do You Need a Sterling Bank Account?
No.
Sterling Bank states that you do not have to be an existing Sterling Bank customer to apply.
However, if your application is approved, you will need to open a Sterling business account to receive the loan and process repayments.
This is useful for women entrepreneurs who currently bank with another financial institution.
Is the Funding a Grant or Loan?
This is an important distinction.
The ₦20 billion Sterling Bank and DBN scheme is not a free government grant.
It is a business financing and loan opportunity.
Successful applicants will be required to comply with the applicable loan terms and repayment conditions.
Therefore, you should only apply if your business can reasonably manage the repayment obligations.
Before accepting any financing offer, carefully review:
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Interest rate
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Repayment period
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Monthly repayment obligation
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Fees and charges
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Collateral requirements, where applicable
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Other conditions attached to the facility
Repayment Period
Sterling Bank's published information indicates that financing can have a repayment period of up to three years, although the exact repayment structure depends on the facility and the terms approved for the business.
The bank's later published information also distinguishes between Business Support facilities and Asset Finance facilities, with repayment structured according to the type and purpose of financing.
Applicants should therefore check the final loan offer carefully before accepting it.
Can You Get an Unsecured Business Loan?
Yes, unsecured financing is available for qualifying applicants.
Sterling Bank's published information states that eligible first-time borrowers may access up to ₦15 million in unsecured financing.
This can be particularly useful for businesses that may not have sufficient assets to offer as collateral.
However, unsecured financing is still subject to the bank's credit assessment and approval requirements. It should not be interpreted as guaranteed funding for every applicant.
What Information May Be Required?
The online application form asks applicants for basic information about themselves and their businesses.
This includes details such as:
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Full name
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Phone number
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Email address
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Business name
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Business sector
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Business location
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CAC registration status
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Length of time the business has operated
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Sterling Bank account information, where applicable
Sterling Bank may also carry out further verification and credit assessment before approving financing.
Applicants should provide accurate information and ensure that their business records are up to date.
Application Opening Date
The Sterling Bank and DBN women business funding initiative was publicly announced by Sterling Bank in September 2025.
Sterling Bank published its announcement on 9 September 2025.
The official application page remains available and currently displays an active application form.
Application Closing Date
No official closing date is currently stated on Sterling Bank's official application page.
Therefore, applicants should not rely on unofficial websites claiming a specific deadline unless Sterling Bank confirms it.
How to Apply for the Sterling Bank Women Empower Fund
Applying is done online through Sterling Bank.
Step 1: Visit the official application page
Go directly to the Sterling Bank Women Business Funding page.
Step 2: Complete the application form
Provide your personal and business information accurately.
Step 3: Provide your business details
You will need to provide information about your business, including its sector, location, registration status and operating history.
Step 4: Submit your application
Review your information carefully before submitting the form.
Step 5: Complete any required verification
Sterling Bank may contact you for additional information or documentation as part of its assessment process.
Step 6: Await the financing decision
If your application meets the requirements and passes the bank's assessment, Sterling Bank will communicate the applicable financing terms.
Official Registration Link
Women entrepreneurs who want to apply should use the official Sterling Bank application page rather than third-party registration links.
Apply here: Sterling Bank Women-Owned Business Funding Application
The official page currently contains the application form and allows applicants to submit their details.
Why Women Entrepreneurs Should Consider This Opportunity
Access to affordable business finance remains one of the major challenges for many small and growing businesses.
For a woman running an established business, a lack of capital can make it difficult to purchase equipment, increase stock, employ more workers or take advantage of new markets.
The Sterling Women Empower Fund provides another financing option for businesses that are ready to grow.
The maximum funding amount is also significantly higher than many small business loan programmes.
For qualifying businesses, the opportunity may be useful for:
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Business expansion
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Working capital
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Equipment financing
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Asset acquisition
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Production expansion
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Business growth
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Improving operational capacity
Important Things to Know Before Applying
Getting a business loan is a financial commitment.
Do not apply simply because the programme offers up to ₦75 million.
First determine how much your business actually needs.
For example, if your business needs ₦8 million to purchase equipment and increase production, applying for ₦75 million may create an unnecessary repayment burden.
Before applying, consider:
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How much funding does your business actually need?
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What will you use the money for?
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How much revenue does your business currently generate?
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Can your business comfortably repay the loan?
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Do you have proper business records?
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Is your business registered?
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Can you provide the information required during the assessment?
A well-prepared application can make it easier for the lender to understand your business and financing needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Sterling Bank ₦20 billion women funding scheme still open?
Yes. The official Sterling Bank application page is currently live and contains an application form. However, applicants should check the official page for any changes before submitting an application.
How much can women-owned businesses receive?
Eligible businesses can access financing of up to ₦75 million, subject to the applicable eligibility and credit requirements.
Is the ₦20 billion funding a grant?
No. It is a business financing and loan scheme, not a free grant.
Do I need a Sterling Bank account to apply?
No. You can apply even if you are not currently a Sterling Bank customer. An approved applicant will, however, need a Sterling business account for loan disbursement and repayment.
Can a new business apply?
The programme is designed for businesses operating in Nigeria, and the application asks applicants how long their business has been operating. Approval remains subject to Sterling Bank's eligibility and credit assessment.
Can I apply for an unsecured loan?
Qualifying first-time borrowers may access up to ₦15 million in unsecured financing, subject to the bank's assessment and approval.
What is the closing date?
Sterling Bank has not published a fixed closing date on the official application page at the time of this update.
Where can I register?
Applications can be submitted through the official Sterling Bank Women Business Funding page:
Apply for the Sterling Women Empower Fund
Conclusion
The Sterling Bank and DBN ₦20 billion funding scheme for women-owned businesses is worth considering if you run an established business and need financing to expand.
With financing of up to ₦75 million, options for unsecured funding for qualifying first-time borrowers and support for asset acquisition, the programme offers several financing routes for eligible women entrepreneurs.
However, remember that this is loan financing, not a grant.
Read the terms carefully, borrow only what your business can repay and use the official Sterling Bank application channel.
Since the official application page remains active and no closing date has been announced, women entrepreneurs who meet the requirements should consider applying early rather than waiting until a deadline is announced.