Written by Applications are now open for the Women in Fashion Tech (WIFT) Accelerator 2026 Cohort, a six-week programme designed to support women-owned, youth-led and persons-with-disabilities-led fashion SMEs across Africa. The accelerator aims to strengthen fashion enterprises, improve production capacity and position African fashion businesses to access regional and global markets.
Across Africa, fashion and textile businesses play a major role in employment and economic activity, particularly for women. However, many enterprises still struggle with barriers such as limited digital adoption, weak enterprise systems, low investment readiness, and difficulty accessing cross-border trade opportunities. These challenges often prevent small businesses from scaling into structured manufacturing operations.
The Women in Fashion Tech Accelerator was created to help bridge this gap by equipping fashion entrepreneurs with the systems, skills and connections needed to move beyond small-scale production into export-ready and investment-ready businesses.
Why This Matters
Fashion SMEs are a critical part of Africa’s economy, representing a large share of the continent’s manufacturing and creative industries. Strengthening the capacity of these businesses can support job creation, industrial growth and inclusive economic development.
The accelerator also aims to help participants take advantage of regional trade opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area, which connects a market of more than 1.4 billion people across Africa.
Programme Focus Areas
- The programme will run across four key tracks designed to strengthen the operations and competitiveness of fashion SMEs.
- These include mass garment production systems, digital transformation and AfCFTA trade enablement, SME investment readiness, and export readiness with market access.
- Participants will gain practical knowledge on how to scale production systems, adopt digital tools, improve internal business processes and prepare their businesses for regional and international trade opportunities.
Eligibility Requirements
- The programme is open to registered fashion SMEs operating in Africa that have been in business for two to three years and are already generating revenue.
- Applicants must demonstrate a clear market niche and show potential for growth and measurable impact.
- Eligible businesses include women-owned fashion enterprises, youth-led brands and garment businesses focused on supporting persons with disabilities.
- Enterprises operating in garment and apparel manufacturing, textile and fabric innovation, sustainable fashion, fashion technology, industrial uniform production and export-oriented fashion manufacturing are encouraged to apply.
Program Structure
- The accelerator will run for six weeks using a hybrid model that combines virtual learning sessions with select in-person engagements in Lagos at the Garment Innovation and Sustainability Hub.
- Participants will benefit from self-paced learning modules, facilitator-led coaching sessions, structured mentorship, factory tours and mass production simulations. The programme will also feature investor deal rooms, demo day pitching opportunities and export familiarisation visits designed to connect businesses with buyers and investors.
Expected Outcomes
- By the end of the programme, participating businesses are expected to strengthen their production systems, adopt digital tools, improve operational efficiency and become better positioned to access regional and global markets.
- The program also aims to support revenue growth, job creation and stronger women-led manufacturing ecosystems across Africa.
How to Apply
Interested applicants can submit their applications through the official form:
[https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScu90nXL3DSKgMbpq698-owW2V6kcyNeMM9U-EMoTxNVGG5eQ/viewform?usp=dialog]