MTN Foundation Tackles SME Growth in Nigeria, Upskills 6,000 Micro Businesses

MTN Foundation has kicked off the year with its five-week Digital Skills Training programme, upskilling 6,000 young Nigerians.

The programme, which is in its fifth week commenced in January 2026. The seventh phase of the project is focused on supporting Nigeria’s microbusiness to embrace digital transformation, at a time when SMEs remain the backbone of the Nigerian economy.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), SMEs account for over 90 per cent of businesses in Nigeria and employ a significant portion of the country’s workforce, underscoring the importance of initiatives that strengthen their productivity and sustainability.

Following a one-month call for applications in September 2025, which saw almost 64,000 entries from Nigerians between the ages of 18 and 35, the 6,000 selected microbusiness owners have embarked on a five-week training that will end in February 2026.

The virtual training programme began with a general onboarding session that brought together participants across four business tracks and set the foundation for a four-week programme focused on practical digital strategies for business growth.

Microbusiness owners from sectors including circular economy, agriculture, food services, fashion, retail, logistics, beauty, and printing attended the training.

At the heart of the training is the principle that digital transformation has the capacity to enable small businesses scale and become more efficient.

Participants were encouraged to start small, digitise repetitive tasks, and scale gradually using the Kaizen approach of continuous improvement.

This mindset allows them to see technology as a practical enabler of growth rather than a barrier. As the training progressed, the participants also learned about telesales and cybersecurity.

Speaking on the importance of the initiative, Odunayo Sanya, Executive Director of the MTN Foundation, said the programme is designed to equip young microbusiness owners with skills that directly address real business challenges.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and enabling young people adopt simple digital tools can make a real difference in productivity, sustainability, and long-term growth,” she said.

She also mentioned that the top-performing 600 participants will receive equipment grants of N600,000 each at the end of the programme.

Participants will continue to access learning materials and session recordings for the 5-week course, ensuring that digital adoption extends beyond the classroom.

By combining practical guidance, relatable case studies, and continued support, the programme reinforces the message that digital growth for SMEs is achievable leveraging on technology.