The CANs Park has launched applications for the first cohort of CYPHER, a programme designed to support women-led micro businesses in Abuja. CYPHER is implemented by The CANs Park under the Digital Transformation Centre (DTC) Nigeria programme, carried out by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH. The programme is 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 play a significant role in Nigeria's small businesses, but many micro enterprises struggle to grow beyond their first two years due to limited digital adoption, weak financial systems, and lack of tailored support. CYPHER aims to address this gap by pairing expert advice with practical digital skills. The programme will provide 40 women-led micro businesses across two cohorts in the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) and Lugbe with one-on-one advisory sessions, digital business tools, and support with business registration.
Participants in the CYPHER programme will receive ten one-on-one advisory sessions per business, with five sessions focused on business operations and five on finance, led by industry-specific experts. They will also take part in a hands-on digitalisation workshop and receive 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 continues after the programme ends.
The CYPHER programme is designed to support women-led micro businesses in specific sectors, including beauty and cosmetics, catering, consumer products, and fashion. To be eligible, applicants must be women aged 18 to 35 who own and run a micro business in AMAC or Lugbe, with a business that has 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.
Ashley Best, Project Manager of CYPHER at The CANs Park, emphasized that the programme is designed around the needs of women-led micro businesses. According to Best, women in Abuja's markets have already built businesses that serve their communities, and CYPHER aims to provide the right digital tools, sound financial habits, and expert advice to help these businesses grow.
The CYPHER programme builds on earlier women-focused work by The CANs Park, including Women CAN, which supported 34 female impact entrepreneurs, and FEM-Money, which trained 41 female entrepreneurs. The programme held a virtual soft launch on 27 August 2026, and applications are now open until Friday, 11 October 2026, at 11:59 pm WAT. Interested entrepreneurs can complete the online application form and submit a short business plan of no more than two pages.
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. The organisation has confirmed that it will not ask applicants for payment at any stage of the process. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and interested entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply.
Key points
- The CYPHER programme provides women-led micro businesses in Abuja with digital adoption and stronger business practices.
- The programme is implemented by The CANs Park under the Digital Transformation Centre (DTC) Nigeria programme.
- Applications for the CYPHER programme close on Friday, 11 October 2026, at 11:59 pm WAT.
