The CANs Park has opened applications for the first cohort of PHER, a free programme that supports women-led micro businesses in Abuja with digital adoption and stronger business and financial practices.
The programme is implemented by The CANs Park under the Digital Transformation Center (DTC) Nigeria programme, which is carried out by the Deutsche Gesellschaft fr Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and jointly funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the European Union and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark.
Women run a significant share of Nigeria’s small businesses, yet many micro-enterprises struggle to grow beyond their first two years due to limited digital adoption, weak financial systems and a lack of support tailored to their sectors. PHER is designed to address this gap by combining expert advice with practical digital skills.
Over the course of the programme, 40 women-led micro businesses across two cohorts in the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) and Lugbe will receive 10 one-on-one advisory sessions per business: five focused on business operations and five on finance, delivered by industry-specific experts.
Participants will also take part in a hands-on digitalisation workshop and receive digital business tools, support with business registration at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and brand identity support. They will also have access to a peer support network that will continue after the programme ends. Participation is free of charge.
‘Women in Abuja’s markets have already done the hardest part: they have built businesses that serve their communities,’ said Ashley Best, Project Manager of PHER at The CANs Park. ‘PHER is designed around what those businesses need to grow: the right digital tools, sound financial habits and expert advice built around each business, not generic training.’
The programme builds on earlier women-focused initiatives by The CANs Park. Women CAN supported 34 female impact entrepreneurs, while FEM-Money trained 41 female entrepreneurs. PHER held a virtual soft launch on August 27, 2026.
Applicants must be women aged 18 to 35 who own and operate a micro business in AMAC or Lugbe in one of the following sectors: beauty and cosmetics, catering, consumer products or fashion. The business must have been operating for between one and two years.
Applicants are also expected to have a smartphone, basic digital skills and a business page on Instagram, Facebook or WhatsApp.
Applications close on Friday, October 11, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. WAT. Interested entrepreneurs are required to complete the online application form and submit a short business plan of no more than two pages.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The CANs Park said it will not ask applicants for payment at any stage of the process.
The CANs Park was established in 2019 as an innovation support organisation in Abuja. It serves startups, small businesses and entrepreneurs through collaborative workspaces, business incubation, technology solutions, consulting and community-driven support.
Media contact:
Jennifer Ijeh
Communications Manager, The CANs Park