Phase Two of the MTN yellowpreneur grant: empowering women entrepreneurs in Nigeria has officially opened, allocating ₦450 million in equipment loans to 150 female business owners. Successful applicants will undergo an intensive five-week entrepreneurial training, receive up to ₦3 million at a flat 2.5 percent interest rate with a six-month moratorium and 36-month repayment period, and—upon full repayment—qualify for a 25 percent grant bonus. This initiative builds on the 2022 pilot that trained 4,711 women and disbursed over ₦94 million in loans, reinforcing MTN Foundation’s commitment to closing Nigeria’s gender enterprise gap NairametricsMTN Nigeria.
Amid soaring aspirations and roadblocks, countless Nigerian women strive each day to turn bold ideas into thriving businesses. When access to capital and expertise seems out of reach, the MTN yellowpreneur grant: empowering women entrepreneurs in Nigeria arrives like a beacon, offering not just funds but a roadmap for sustainable growth.
Key Takeaways
- Phase Two channels ₦450 million into female-led ventures, each eligible for up to ₦3 million in low-cost financing
- every applicant benefits from a five-week online masterclass covering business management fundamentals and bankable plan development.
- upon timely loan repayment, participants receive 25 percent of their loan value as a grant, reinforcing financial sustainability.
- this follows a successful pilot—4,711 women trained and ₦94 million disbursed—underscoring the programme’s proven impact MTN Nigeria.
- the initiative addresses a broader gender gap: while 41 percent of Nigerian micro-enterprises are women-owned, they still face systemic hurdles—this grant directly tackles funding and capacity barriers Matsh Talent DevelopmentUN Women.
What’s New in Phase Two
Phase Two of the MTN yellowpreneur grant: empowering women entrepreneurs in Nigeria officially launched on March 6, 2024, backed by a ₦600 million investment from MTN Nigeria Foundation. This phase dedicates ₦450 million for equipment loans—up to ₦3 million each—for 150 qualified women and allocates the remaining funds to training, advisory services, and administration NairametricsTribune Online.
Over 1,000 shortlisted candidates will undergo a five-week virtual masterclass before top performers access their loans. Applications were open from March 6 to March 30, 2024, via the MTN Foundation portal, attracting entries from diverse sectors that align with national development goals Legit.ng – Nigeria news.Nairametrics. Stakeholder remarks at the Lagos launch underscored the MTN yellowpreneur grant: empowering women entrepreneurs in Nigeria as a flagship initiative to bridge Nigeria’s gender enterprise gap through an integrated model of capacity building, capital access, and grant incentives Tribune OnlineMSME Africa.
Launch & Investment Highlights
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On March 6, 2024, MTN Nigeria Foundation unveiled Phase Two of the MTN yellowpreneur grant: empowering women entrepreneurs in Nigeria, signalling a ₦600 million commitment to deepen its women-centred entrepreneurship programme NairametricsTribune Online.
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The funding breaks down into a ₦450 million equipment loan pool for 150 female entrepreneurs—each eligible for up to ₦3 million to scale their ventures—and ₦150 million dedicated to training, advisory support, and project administration Tribune OnlineMTN Nigeria.
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At the Lagos launch event, Executive Director Odunayo Sanya highlighted how the MTN yellowpreneur grant: empowering women entrepreneurs in Nigeria ties women’s economic empowerment directly to national prosperity Tribune Online.
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Lagos State Commissioner for Women’s Affairs Bolaji Dada praised the initiative’s role in tackling female unemployment and encouraged eligible women to seize the opportunity Tribune Online.
Programme Scope & Training Components
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Phase Two delivers a five-week virtual masterclass to 1,000 shortlisted entrepreneurs, covering cash-flow management, digital marketing, and governance under the MTN yellowpreneur grant: empowering women entrepreneurs in Nigeria framework MTN Nigeria.
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Participants receive structured business advisory support and access to seamless loan repayment processes designed to ensure long-term sustainability MTN Nigeria.
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Upon successful completion, 150 top candidates will access their equipment loans—disbursed via the Bank of Industry—combining skill building with capital infusion Nairametrics.
Eligibility & Sector Focus
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The MTN yellowpreneur grant: empowering women entrepreneurs in Nigeria Phase Two targets Nigerian women aged 18+, with at least two years’ business experience in sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, processing, ICT/digital services, circular economy, and waste management Tribune Online.
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Priority is given to enterprises sourcing raw materials locally, supporting Nigeria’s economic diversification through home-grown value chains Tribune Online.
Application Timeline & Process
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Applications ran from March 6 to March 30, 2024, via the MTN Foundation portal at mtn.ng/foundation/yellopreneur where applicants submitted business plans, statutory documents, and educational credentials online NairametricsLegit.ng – Nigeria news..
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A technical evaluation panel assessed all submissions and shortlisted 1,000 candidates for the virtual masterclass based on business viability and growth potential Brand Communicator – Linking the future.
Stakeholder Support & Next Steps
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Shortlisted entrepreneurs benefit from mentoring by the Enterprise Development Centre and MTN-sponsored data bundles to ensure uninterrupted virtual training—reinforcing the MTN yellowpreneur grant: empowering women entrepreneurs in Nigeria commitment to comprehensive support Scholar Afrika.
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Following assessments, final loan disbursements of up to ₦3 million per entrepreneur are made through the Bank of Industry. Graduates who repay in full receive a 25% grant bonus, solidifying the initiative’s cyclical model of capacity building, capital access, and growth incentives Tribune OnlineScholar Afrika.
Why It Matters: The Gender Enterprise Gap
Nigerian women represent over half the population but remain under-represented in formal entrepreneurship. Only about 41 percent of micro-businesses are owned by women, despite 23 million female micro-entrepreneurs nationwide—a necessity-driven majority often excluded from formal finance channels Matsh Talent Development.
Despite a high overall labour participation rate of 80.8 percent for women versus 84.5 percent for men, female engagement in formal SMEs drops to 23 percent, with 77 percent confined to the informal sector World Bank Gender Data Portaldrpcngr.org. By equipping women with loans, training, and mentorship, the MTN yellowpreneur grant: empowering women entrepreneurs in Nigeria directly tackles these systemic barriers.
Applying for the Grant
Step 1: Confirm Eligibility
Before diving in, ensure you meet the criteria for the MTN yellowpreneur grant: empowering women entrepreneurs in Nigeria. You must be a Nigerian woman aged 18 or older, with an existing enterprise operating for at least two years in sectors like manufacturing, agriculture, ICT, or services MTN Nigeria. A minimum secondary school certificate (WAEC, NECO, or equivalent) and demonstrable passion for your business are also required LinkedIn.
Step 2: Craft a Bankable Business Plan
A strong business plan is your gateway to the MTN yellowpreneur grant: empowering women entrepreneurs in Nigeria. Outline your value proposition, target market, revenue model, and equipment needs. MTN provides downloadable templates and advisory support to help you refine financial projections and market analysis Scholar Afrika. Refer to sample plans on ConnectNigeria to see real-world examples of winning submissions Connectnigeria Articles.
Step 3: Register on the MTN Foundation Portal
To apply for the MTN yellowpreneur grant: empowering women entrepreneurs in Nigeria, visit the official MTN Foundation Yellowpreneur page at mtn.ng/foundation/yellopreneur MTN Nigeria. Click “Apply Now,” complete your profile, and upload your business plan along with required documents (ID, certificate, business registration) RECRUITNGR. Submissions typically close one month after opening, so mark your calendar!
Step 4: Participate in the Virtual Masterclass
Shortlisted applicants will join a free, four- to five-week online masterclass covering cash-flow management, digital marketing, and governance MTN Nigeria. MTN supplies data bundles to participants to ensure seamless learning LinkedIn. Engage actively—assessments at each module’s end determine your progress toward accessing the equipment loan Connectnigeria Articles.
Step 5: Access Your Equipment Loan
Successful graduates of the training become eligible for an equipment loan of up to ₦3 million, at a flat 2.5 percent interest rate, with a six-month moratorium and 36-month repayment tenor. Funds are disbursed through MTN’s implementing partner, the Bank of Industry, directly into your business account Encomium.
Step 6: Fulfil Repayment and Unlock the Grant Bonus
Once you’ve repaid the full loan amount within the agreed 42-month window, MTN awards you a 25 percent grant bonus. This final reward cements the MTN yellowpreneur grant: empowering women entrepreneurs in Nigeria as a mutually beneficial cycle of capacity building, capital access, and growth incentives MTN Nigeria.
By following these steps faithfully, you’ll maximise your chances to benefit from the MTN yellowpreneur grant: empowering women entrepreneurs in Nigeria and propel your enterprise to new heights.
MTN yellowpreneur grant: empowering women entrepreneurs in Nigeria; The Impact So Far
Since its pilot launch in 2022, the MTN yellowpreneur grant: empowering women entrepreneurs in Nigeria has trained 4,711 female business owners in essential management and development skills during Phase One, equipping them with the knowledge to build bankable business plans and scale operations
Through this initial phase, equipment loans totaling over ₦94 million were disbursed to 50 women entrepreneurs, who, upon full repayment, will receive 25 percent of their loan value as a grant, reinforcing the program’s ethos of sustainable growth MTN NigeriaNairametrics.
Building on this success, the MTN yellowpreneur grant: empowering women entrepreneurs in Nigeria partnered with Mastercard Foundation and the Enterprise Development Centre of Pan-Atlantic University to extend a comprehensive four-week entrepreneurial training to 20,000 Nigerian women, selected from a pool of 35,000 applicants, with 500 ultimately receiving tailored advisory support Leadership News.
In Phase Two alone, the initiative has invested ₦600 million, allocating ₦450 million in equipment loans for 150 female entrepreneurs—each eligible for up to ₦3 million at a flat 2.5 percent interest rate and a six-month moratorium before a 36-month repayment period TheFounderMSME Africa.
The MTN yellowpreneur grant: empowering women entrepreneurs in Nigeria has further solidified its impact by delivering data bundles and seamless digital access to virtual masterclasses, ensuring that logistical barriers do not impede participants’ learning experiences TheFounderEncomium.
Success stories abound: beneficiaries like Victoria Kings and Oluwafunmilola Shelika credit the MTN yellowpreneur grant: empowering women entrepreneurs in Nigeria with transforming their ventures—from formalizing operations to procuring industrial equipment that optimized productivity and reduced costs EncomiumSocietyNow.
By addressing critical gaps in access to capital, skills training, and post-disbursement support, the MTN yellowpreneur grant: empowering women entrepreneurs in Nigeria directly contributes to Sustainable Development Goals 1, 5, 8, and 17 by fostering economic inclusion and gender equality across Nigeria’s diverse regions MSME Africa. To date, the initiative’s blended model of capacity building, low-interest loans, and grant disbursement has created a replicable blueprint for empowering women entrepreneurs—a blueprint that continues to evolve with fresh cohorts and expanded partnerships mtn.com.
Conclusion
The MTN yellowpreneur grant: empowering women entrepreneurs in Nigeria stands as a game-changer in closing finance and knowledge barriers for women-led businesses. By combining accessible loans, grant incentives, intensive training, and advisory support, it not only funds enterprise growth but also nurtures a resilient community of women entrepreneurs. Don’t miss this life-changing opportunity—apply today at MTN’s official portal and take your business to new heights.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MTN yellowpreneur grant: empowering women entrepreneurs in Nigeria?
It’s a multi-phase initiative by MTN Foundation offering training, equipment loans up to ₦3 million, and grant bonuses to Nigerian women entrepreneurs.
Who can apply for the grant?
Nigerian women aged 18+, with an existing business of at least two years and a minimum secondary education.
How does the repayment and grant bonus work?
Participants enjoy a six-month moratorium, 36-month repayment at 2.5 percent flat interest, and upon full repayment receive 25 percent of the loan value as a grant.
When is the application deadline?
Applications typically open in March and run for one month; check the MTN portal for exact dates.
What support does MTN provide beyond loans?
Five-week online entrepreneurial training, business plan development assistance, and ongoing advisory and market-linkage services.
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