The CANs Park has initiated applications for the first cohort of PHER, a complimentary programme aimed at empowering women-led micro businesses in Abuja. This initiative focuses on enhancing digital adoption and strengthening business and financial practices among participants. PHER is implemented under the Digital Transformation Center (DTC) Nigeria programme, a collaborative effort by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the European Union, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark.
Women operate a significant proportion of Nigeria's small businesses, but many struggle to progress beyond their initial two years due to limited digital adoption, weak financial systems, and a lack of tailored support. PHER is designed to bridge this gap by offering expert advice combined 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 comprehensive support.
Participants in PHER will benefit from 10 one-on-one advisory sessions per business, with five sessions focused on business operations and five on finance, delivered by industry-specific experts. They will also engage 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. Additionally, participants will have access to a peer support network that will continue after the programme concludes.
The programme is tailored to address the specific needs of women-led micro businesses in Abuja. According to Ashley Best, Project Manager of PHER at The CANs Park, "Women in Abuja’s markets have already done the hardest part: they have built businesses that serve their communities. 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."
PHER builds upon earlier women-focused initiatives by The CANs Park, including Women CAN, which supported 34 female impact entrepreneurs, and FEM-Money, which trained 41 female entrepreneurs. The programme had a virtual soft launch on August 27, 2026. To be eligible, applicants must be women aged 18 to 35 who own and operate a micro business in AMAC or Lugbe in specific sectors: beauty and cosmetics, catering, consumer products, or fashion.
Applicants must have a smartphone, basic digital skills, and a business page on Instagram, Facebook, or WhatsApp. The business must have been operating for between one and two years. Interested entrepreneurs are required to complete an online application form and submit a short business plan of no more than two pages. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and The CANs Park emphasises that it will not request payment at any stage of the process.
The CANs Park, established in 2019 as an innovation support organisation in Abuja, serves startups, small businesses, and entrepreneurs through collaborative workspaces, business incubation, technology solutions, consulting, and community-driven support. Applications for PHER close on Friday, October 11, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. WAT. For further information, entrepreneurs can contact Jennifer Ijeh, Communications Manager at The CANs Park, at [email protected]
Key points
- The CANs Park's PHER programme offers free support to women-led micro businesses in Abuja.
- Applications for PHER are open until October 11, 2026.
- The programme provides comprehensive support, including advisory sessions, digital tools, and business registration assistance.
