Call For Applications: Sterling Bank/Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women Online Program for Women Entrepreneurs

May 4, 2025

5 minutes read

The Sterling Bank and Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women Online Program for Women Entrepreneurs is now accepting applications for 2025, offering free business training, a globally recognized certificate, and access to a global alumni network — all online and fully supported by the International Finance Corporation (IFC).

Call For Applications: Sterling Bank/Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women Online Program for Women Entrepreneurs

Background & Job Description

Sterling Bank, in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), has officially launched a new call for applications for the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women Online Program, a major opportunity designed to uplift female entrepreneurs across Africa and globally. This program, part of Goldman Sachs’ broader initiative to empower 10,000 women, provides business education, mentorship, and practical tools for women-led small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) looking to scale up.

Since its inception, the 10,000 Women initiative has supported over 200,000 women in more than 100 countries. The program has become a flagship opportunity for women to transform their business skills and boost their enterprises. Its core belief is that investing in women entrepreneurs promotes economic growth, enhances communities, and closes gender gaps in business leadership.

Delivered through the University of Leeds via an intuitive online platform, the 2025 program gives women entrepreneurs in Nigeria and other developing countries direct access to world-class instruction. Through Sterling Bank’s OneWoman platform, women-led businesses can now benefit from global standards of business training without financial or geographic barriers.

Unlike other programs that may target beginners, the 10,000 Women initiative is tailored for established SMEs with proven market activity. It is structured to help these businesses overcome scale-up challenges, such as acquiring funding, expanding into new markets, managing growth teams, and strategic planning.

This article is intended to advertise this opportunity only. The site is not affiliated with Sterling Bank, Goldman Sachs, IFC, or the University of Leeds.

Tasks

As this is an educational program, participants are not performing job-related tasks but will be expected to actively engage with the course curriculum and participate in the following:

Complete a 20-week online learning program covering topics such as leadership, finance, marketing, operations, and negotiation.
Interact with case studies and real-world business scenarios designed to encourage critical thinking and innovation.
Take part in online discussion groups, group assignments, and knowledge-sharing forums with peers across the globe.
Build a scalable business growth plan as a final project to demonstrate their learnings.
Receive periodic feedback and mentoring from top educators from the University of Leeds and other industry leaders.
Join the 10,000 Women alumni community, opening the door to new funding, mentorship, and partnership opportunities.

These tasks are designed to reinforce practical learning while enabling business owners to continue managing their businesses concurrently.

Qualifications

Education and Certification

No university degree is required to apply.
Applicants must be women who are owners or decision-makers of an active business.
Businesses should be officially registered and operational for at least one year.
All instruction is in English; thus, participants must have working proficiency in English.

Experience

Applicants should have at least one year of hands-on management experience in running their SMEs.
Women with prior experience in seeking external investment or funding are encouraged to apply.
The program targets entrepreneurs who are ready to scale their business beyond its current size and enter new markets.
Open-mindedness to digital learning and peer-to-peer learning is essential.

Additional Information

Duration: 20 weeks
Mode: 100% online, self-paced with optional group interaction and networking events
Organizers: Goldman Sachs, University of Leeds, International Finance Corporation (IFC), and Sterling Bank
Program Cost: Fully funded (participants pay nothing)
Certificate: Yes, issued by the University of Leeds
Application Deadline: Ongoing for 2025
Geographic Scope: Global, with special access via Sterling Bank for Nigerian entrepreneurs

Why This Program Matters: Global Context

According to the World Bank, SMEs contribute up to 60% of total employment and up to 40% of GDP in emerging economies. Yet, many women-led businesses struggle due to lack of access to training, finance, and mentorship. The 10,000 Women program aims to bridge this gap by:

Equipping women with core business skills to run profitable enterprises
Helping women secure funding through strategic financial literacy
Enabling peer-learning that fosters innovation and resilience
Creating measurable long-term social impact through women’s economic participation

Programs like 10,000 Women have been proven to increase revenue growth, employee hiring, and investment readiness. According to an evaluation by Harvard researchers, 70% of alumni increased their revenues, and over 50% created new jobs within a year of completing the program.

What Makes the Program Unique

Built for Women, By Experts: All course content is curated by top-tier business educators who understand the unique challenges faced by women entrepreneurs.
Peer Networking: Participants interact with entrepreneurs from across the globe, forming alliances, business partnerships, and mentorship relationships.
Flexible Schedule: Women can learn at their own pace, accommodating childcare, business hours, and other life commitments.
Global Recognition: The certificate from the University of Leeds offers prestige and legitimacy when seeking investment or expanding internationally.

Alumni Success Stories

Here are a few stories from previous 10,000 Women participants:

Maryam from Kenya used the program to rebrand her fashion startup, attract investors, and triple her revenue.
Ngozi from Nigeria implemented new financial controls learned in the program and secured a microloan to open a second location.
Thandi from South Africa partnered with a fellow alumna from Brazil to export organic food products, breaking into the European market.

These success stories showcase the ripple effect of business education when targeted at high-impact entrepreneurs.

Application Process

Initial Application: Visit the Sterling Bank OneWoman platform and complete the preliminary application.
Follow-Up Link: If eligible, applicants will receive a personalized invitation to complete the full application via the IFC online portal.
Final Selection: Accepted participants will be onboarded and given full access to the learning portal.
Learning & Completion: Participants go through the 10-course program, engage in discussions, and complete assignments.
Certification & Alumni Access: Graduates are awarded certificates and invited into the global alumni network.

How the Program Compares to Others

Unlike many accelerator programs that require physical presence, the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women initiative is fully online and doesn’t require participants to leave their countries or businesses. Also, many other programs focus on startup founders, while this program is geared toward SMEs that have already gained some traction.

It also differs from programs like:

SheTrades (by ITC), which is focused more on e-commerce readiness
Cherie Blair Foundation’s Road to Growth, which is shorter and less comprehensive
African Women Entrepreneurship Cooperative (AWEC), which has a more regional (Africa-based) alumni network

10,000 Women is distinguished by its global footprint, high-quality curriculum, alumni reach, and corporate backing.

Final Thoughts

This is not just an educational opportunity; it is a launchpad. For women-led businesses, it offers a unique blend of skills, community, and international exposure. It helps businesses become investment-ready, resilient, and capable of making meaningful social and economic contributions.

The Sterling Bank/Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women Online Program 2025 is more than a course — it’s a community, a certification, and a career milestone for ambitious women entrepreneurs who want to lead at scale.

Ready to Apply?

📌 Click here to apply now through Sterling Bank OneWoman.

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