The MTN Foundation has kicked off the seventh phase of its ICT and Business Skills Training program, onboarding 6,000 young microbusiness owners across Nigeria to enhance their digital capabilities and help them grow competitive, tech-ready businesses.
Launched on January 5, 2026, the five-week virtual training initiative responds to the growing need for SMEs to adopt digital tools and strategiesthat can improve productivity, resilience, and long-term growth in a tech-driven economy.
Following a month-long call for applications in late 2025 that drew nearly 64,000 young Nigerians aged 18–35, 6,000 participants running microbusinesses were selected to take part in the blended learning programme. The curriculum focuses on practical digital skills that small business owners can apply directly to their operations.
Participants represent a wide range of sectors including food services, fashion, retail, logistics, beauty, printing, and agriculture, highlighting the program’s broad reach across Nigeria’s entrepreneurial landscape.
The training emphasizes accessible digital adoption rather than costly or complex technology, encouraging businesses to start small, automate repetitive tasks, and scale gradually using simple tools such as messaging apps for customer engagement and mobile platforms for payments. This approach reflects a Kaizen mindset of continuous improvement tailored for small enterprises.
Practical Business Tools and Cybersecurity Skills
Trainees have been learning a variety of skills, including digital record-keeping, online payments, telesales, and basic cybersecurity practices, elements critical for protecting business data and building customer trust online.
Facilitators, such as business analyst Babajide Jolaolu-Kehinde, have also introduced participants to frameworks like SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) to help them evaluate business performance and identify areas for strategic growth.
Equipment Grants to Support Growth
At the end of the program, the top 600 participants are expected to receive equipment grants worth up to ₦300 million in total, providing tools that can further enhance their business operations and help them scale.
Speaking on the importance of the initiative, Odunayo Sanya, Executive Director of the MTN Foundation, said the program is designed to equip young microbusiness owners with digital skills that directly address real-world business challenges, reinforcing the idea that technology is an enabler for sustainable business growth.
Programs like this align with Nigeria’s broader push to strengthen the digital economy and SME sector, which accounts for a significant share of employment and economic activity in the country.
