Applications are 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 and 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 is supporting women-led businesses to improve access to finance, business development support, markets and professional networks.
The current application is being conducted through the programme’s 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
Is located in or serves a rural or peri-urban community in Nigeria
Generates more than ₦88 million in annual sales, according to the current call
Is owned or led by women
Is actively operating and ready for business growth
Can 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.
What Will Successful Applicants Receive?
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
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.
What Information Is 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 Does the Programme Look 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
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.
Application Deadline
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