First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has partnered with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to roll out the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women programme in Nigeria, aiming to strengthen entrepreneurship and accelerate business growth among women-led enterprises.
The Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women initiative is a global platform dedicated to driving economic development by equipping entrepreneurs with practical business education, interactive learning experiences, and guidance from world-class business school educators. Since its inception, the programme has reached over 200,000 entrepreneurs worldwide, enabling them to scale operations and create sustainable impact.
Developed by Goldman Sachs and delivered through the University of Leeds, the 10,000 Women Online education programme is open to all small and medium-sized enterprises, offering access to ten comprehensive courses and membership in a global alumni community.
FCMB’s involvement builds on its SheVentures programme, which over the past five years has provided Nigerian female entrepreneurs with zero-interest loans worth up to N800 million, alongside training and mentorship for thousands of women-led SMEs.
According to FCMB’s Managing Director, empowering women entrepreneurs is key to unlocking innovation, creating jobs, and fostering economic growth. She noted that the new programme will enhance participants’ skills while opening up new business opportunities, aligning with the bank’s mission of driving inclusive and sustainable growth.
FCMB’s Divisional Head of Business Banking added that the partnership will promote gender equality in Nigeria’s entrepreneurial space and encourage long-term business sustainability.
Applications for the 10,000 Women Online programme opened on August 1, 2025, and will close on August 31, 2025. Both start-ups and established women-led businesses across Nigeria are eligible to apply.
