Women and youth entrepreneurs across Nigeria can apply for the National Fair Pitch-A-Thon 2026, a business pitching competition offering selected enterprises the opportunity to present their ideas to investors and compete for seed grants and business-scaling support.
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The Pitch-A-Thon is part of the National Fair on Trade, Culture and Skills for Women and Youth, scheduled to hold from November 10 to 14, 2026, in Abuja. The competition is listed for Friday, November 13, when eligible businesses will pitch before venture judges and impact investors.
The event also aims to connect enterprises with partners and opportunities beyond their immediate markets. Advertised benefits include equity-free seed grants, scaling capital, introductions to investors and lending partners, six months of executive mentorship and export-readiness support. However, the organisers have not published a confirmed individual grant amount, and applying does not guarantee funding.
The competition is open nationwide to women and youth entrepreneurs, startup founders, innovators and registered micro, small and medium-sized enterprise (MSME) owners with viable, scalable products or services. Businesses seeking to expand or enter export markets are encouraged to apply.
Eligible businesses must be registered in Nigeria through the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) or an accredited cooperative society. They must be founded or co-founded by a woman or a young person aged 18 to 35 and operate in a priority growth sector.
The listed sectors include agriculture and agro-processing, fashion and textiles, digital technology and artificial intelligence (AI), creative arts, the green economy, light manufacturing and services.
Applicants must also have a functional minimum viable product (MVP), prototype or evidence of existing commercial sales. The business should demonstrate potential to create jobs, add value or develop export opportunities.
The Pitch-A-Thon is one component of the wider National Fair, which will also feature skills training, exhibitions, business networking and business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-government (B2G) meetings. General fair attendance is free for registered participants, but entrepreneurs interested in competing for funding must select the specific Pitch-A-Thon application option.
Who can apply
- Nigerian businesses registered with the CAC or an accredited cooperative society.
- Businesses founded or co-founded by women or youth aged 18–35.
- Enterprises operating in an eligible sector with a viable product, prototype or commercial sales.
- Businesses able to demonstrate growth, job-creation or export potential.
How to apply
Interested applicants should visit https://nationalfairng.com/register and select the Pitch-A-Thon option. Complete the requested business and founder details and follow the instructions on the form. The published registration deadline is October 30, 2026. Applicants should confirm all requirements on the official website and retain their submission confirmation. The live pitching event is scheduled for November 13, 2026, in Abuja.
