Applications are currently open for Cohort 2 of the Pathways to Scale (P2S) programme, an initiative supporting women entrepreneurs in Nigeria with access to finance, business support, mentorship, and connections to investors and other business partners. The current call is targeted at women who own or run businesses in agriculture and related sectors, particularly businesses operating in rural or peri-urban communities. Selected businesses can access concessional loans ranging from ₦10 million to ₦300 million, alongside tailored business support and mentorship. Applications close on October 7, 2026.
About Pathways to Scale
• Pathways to Scale is a five-year, $45 million programme led by World University Service of Canada (WUSC) in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation.
• The programme operates in Nigeria, Ghana, Ethiopia, and Rwanda.
• It aims to support 13,000 women-owned and women-led enterprises while creating or sustaining 108,000 work opportunities for young women.
• In Nigeria, the programme supports women-led businesses to improve access to finance, business development support, markets, and professional networks.
• The current application is conducted through Nigeria implementation partners, including Shecluded.
• The official application form identifies the process as an initial due-diligence exercise for the Pathways to Scale programme.
Who Can Apply?
• The current Cohort 2 call is designed for women entrepreneurs in Nigeria whose businesses operate in agriculture or related sectors.
• Applicants should have a business that operates in agriculture or an agriculture-related sector.
• The business should be located in or serve a rural or peri-urban community in Nigeria.
• The business should generate more than ₦88 million in annual sales, according to the current call.
• The business should be owned or led by women.
• The business should be actively operating and ready for business growth.
• The business should be able to participate in the programme's business support and coaching activities.
• The application form asks applicants to provide information about the percentage of the business owned by women, their role in the business, and their ability to make major business decisions.
Which Businesses Are Eligible?
• The application form covers a broad range of agriculture and related businesses, including:
• Agricultural input supply
• Crop production
• Livestock and poultry
• Aquaculture
• Processing and value addition
• Aggregation and storage
• Distribution and transport
• Agricultural marketing and sales
• Agricultural exports
• Agri-services
• AgriTech
• Related financial services
• Applicants are also asked to explain how their businesses work with rural communities, including whether they buy from rural communities, provide services to them, or employ women in rural areas.
Access to Concessional Loans
• The current Cohort 2 announcement advertises access to concessional loans from ₦10 million to ₦300 million for eligible businesses.
• This is loan financing, not a grant, so applicants should assess their ability to repay before applying.
Tailored Business Support
• Selected businesses will receive tailored support aimed at helping them strengthen their operations and prepare for growth.
• The current call identifies business support powered by SIGMAT AI as part of the programme.
Mentorship and Advisory Support
• Participants can access mentorship and advisory support from experienced professionals and industry experts.
Investor and Corporate Connections
• The programme also provides opportunities to connect participating businesses with investors, financial institutions, corporates, and other ecosystem partners.
Entrepreneur Networking
• Selected women entrepreneurs will have opportunities to build relationships with other businesses and organisations within the Pathways to Scale ecosystem.
Information Required
• The application form is detailed and functions as an initial business due-diligence process.
• Applicants are asked to provide information including:
• Personal and contact details
• Business name and website
• Business ownership structure
• Founder/management role
• Business location
• Type of settlement
• Business registration status
• Annual sales
• Annual profit
• Industry and business activities
• Number of employees
• Business costs
• Existing loans
• Previous funding
• Business financing needs
• Customer and sales information
• Women ownership and leadership
• Number of young women employed
• Number of women benefiting from the business
• Jobs created for rural and peri-urban women
• The form also asks applicants about their ability to participate in online training and coaching sessions.
What the Programme Looks For
• The application process goes beyond simply asking about the business idea.
• Applicants will need to provide information that helps the programme understand the business's:
• Current revenue
• Profitability
• Ownership
• Operations
• Financing needs
• Existing debt
• Market activity
• Workforce
• Impact on women
• Links with rural and peri-urban communities
• The form also asks businesses to identify the areas where they need support, including financial support, equipment, mentorship, technical training, and market access.
How to Apply and Deadline
• Interested women entrepreneurs can complete the Pathways to Scale Nigeria application form online.
• Application Form: Apply for Pathways to Scale Cohort 2
• Applicants should provide accurate business information because the application is used for an initial due-diligence process.
• The current Cohort 2 call states that applications close on October 7, 2026.
• Applicants should submit their forms before the deadline.
Key Details
• Programme: Pathways to Scale Cohort 2
• Country: Nigeria
• Target: Women entrepreneurs
• Business focus: Agriculture and related sectors
• Location: Rural and peri-urban Nigeria
• Annual revenue requirement: More than ₦88 million
• Loan financing: ₦10 million–₦300 million
• Other support: Business advisory, mentorship, investor and corporate connections, networking
• Programme partners: Mastercard Foundation and WUSC, with implementation partners including Shecluded
• Application deadline: October 7, 2026
• Application: Online
Pathways to Scale Cohort 2 is a structured opportunity for women-led agricultural and agri-related businesses in Nigeria to access concessional financing and business development support. Because the application process functions as an initial due-diligence exercise, interested entrepreneurs should prepare detailed and accurate business information and submit the online form before the October 7, 2026 deadline.