Applications are Now Open for the ANTFem 2.0 Program for Female Food Entrepreneurs in Nigeria

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Application Deadline: November 14, 2025

Applications are now open for Cohort 2.0 of the Advancing Nutrition Through Female-Led Processing (ANTFem) Program, a transformative initiative designed to empower female-led food businesses across Nigeria.

The ANTFem Program, implemented by Food Health Systems Advisory (FHSA), is dedicated to strengthening women’s participation in agribusiness, particularly within key food value chains such as dried tomato, dried okra, dried/smoked fish, yoghurt, and fura da nono. Through strategic capacity-building, business development, access to finance, mentorship, and technology support, the program equips women entrepreneurs to build sustainable, nutrition-focused food enterprises that contribute to local and national food security.

Empowering Women in Agribusiness

The ANTFem Program is more than a business support initiative — it’s a movement to promote nutrition security and women’s economic empowerment in Nigeria. By supporting female entrepreneurs in food processing, the program enhances food quality, reduces post-harvest losses, and boosts income generation in rural and urban communities alike.

Participants benefit from customized support in areas that are critical to growth, including:

  • Business Development and Technical Support: Tailored advisory and hands-on training sessions to improve efficiency and product quality.
  • Access to Funding Opportunities: Guidance in financial management and connection to funding and investment partners.
  • Market Linkages and Visibility: Exposure to local and regional markets, partnerships, and platforms that help women scale their businesses.
  • Mentorship and Peer Learning: Access to experienced industry mentors and a strong network of female agribusiness leaders.

By joining the ANTFem 2.0 cohort, female food entrepreneurs gain tools and opportunities to expand their operations, strengthen their value chains, and increase their impact in Nigeria’s food ecosystem.

Eligibility Criteria

The program is open to two main categories of participants: SMEs and Clusters of Microbusinesses.

For SMEs:

To qualify, applicants must meet the following requirements:

  • The business must be female-led and actively involved in one of the specified food value chains.
  • Must have an annual turnover of ₦10 million or more.
  • Must be registered with SMEDAN or the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
  • Should serve low-income consumers, contributing to improved nutrition access.

For Clusters:

This category targets groups of small food businesses working collectively within the same value chain. To be eligible:

  • A cluster must consist of 10 female-led micro food enterprises.
  • Combined annual turnover should range between â‚¦5 million and ₦10 million.
  • Each business must be registered with SMEDAN or CAC.
  • Must operate with dedicated production sites and maintain proper financial records.

Program Benefits

The ANTFem 2.0 Program provides comprehensive support that goes beyond funding. It focuses on equipping female entrepreneurs with knowledge, tools, and networks for long-term sustainability. Participants will benefit from:

  • Hands-on technical training on food safety, production, and packaging.
  • Tailored business advisory to strengthen operational efficiency.
  • Access to finance and investors for scaling production.
  • Digital and technology tools for business optimization.
  • Networking opportunities with other successful women in agribusiness.
  • Brand visibility and media exposure to promote their products.

These benefits empower women to move from small-scale production to structured, competitive enterprises capable of meeting market demands and driving local economic growth.

Program Timeline and Location

  • Application Deadline: November 14, 2025
  • Eligible States: Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Anambra, and Kaduna

Women entrepreneurs from these states are encouraged to apply and take advantage of this opportunity to transform their food processing ventures into sustainable businesses that advance nutrition and economic inclusion.

How to Apply

Interested female entrepreneurs and business clusters can submit their applications through the official ANTFem 2.0 Application Portal. Early applications are encouraged to increase the chances of selection.

This initiative represents a vital step toward building a resilient, inclusive, and nutrition-conscious agrifood sector in Nigeria — one where women are not just participants but leaders in shaping the future of food systems.

About the Implementer – Food Health Systems Advisory (FHSA)

FHSA is a leading organization dedicated to promoting sustainable food systems and improving nutrition outcomes through innovation, policy advocacy, and enterprise development. By equipping women entrepreneurs with business tools, technical expertise, and financial access, FHSA continues to advance the goal of a healthier, more inclusive food ecosystem in Nigeria.

For more information and to apply,CLICK HERE 

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