First City Monument Bank (FCMB), in partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), has introduced the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women initiative in Nigeria, aimed at equipping women entrepreneurs with the tools to scale their businesses and contribute to inclusive economic growth.
The programme, delivered online through the University of Leeds, provides small and medium enterprises with free access to ten business courses and entry into a global alumni community of more than 200,000 entrepreneurs. The training focuses on essential skills for business expansion, sustainability, and competitiveness in today’s economy.
FCMB has already made strides in supporting women-led businesses through its SheVentures platform, which has disbursed over ₦800 million in zero-interest loans while also offering mentorship and capacity-building programmes. With this new collaboration, the bank seeks to expand its impact by linking Nigerian women entrepreneurs to a global support network.
According to FCMB’s leadership, the initiative represents a significant step toward advancing gender equality and strengthening the SME sector. They stressed that empowering women with financial access, training, and networks will not only enhance individual enterprises but also drive broader economic development across the country.
The Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women programme, now active in Nigeria, is expected to create more opportunities for female entrepreneurs to innovate, access markets, and build sustainable businesses in a challenging economic climate.
