MTN Foundation to Empower 6,000 Entrepreneurs with Skills Training

The MTN Foundation has announced a new initiative aimed at training 6,000 entrepreneurs across Nigeria, reaffirming its long-standing commitment to youth empowerment and economic development. The program, designed to equip participants with essential business skills, access to mentorship, and opportunities for financial inclusion, is expected to significantly impact Nigeria’s small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) sector.

Announcing the initiative in Lagos, officials from the MTN Foundation explained that the program will target young Nigerians with innovative business ideas and those already managing small-scale enterprises but in need of guidance to scale their operations. The training will cover business planning, financial literacy, marketing, digital innovation, and sustainability practices. By focusing on practical and globally relevant modules, the foundation hopes to prepare entrepreneurs not only to thrive locally but also to compete in wider African and global markets.

The Executive Secretary of MTN Foundation, Odunayo Sanya, emphasized the importance of entrepreneurship in addressing Nigeria’s unemployment challenges. She noted that while the country has one of the largest youth populations in the world, limited job opportunities have hindered economic growth. According to her, empowering young people to create and grow businesses remains one of the most effective ways of reducing unemployment and stimulating inclusive growth. “At MTN, we understand that entrepreneurship is the engine of economic development. By training 6,000 entrepreneurs, we are not just giving people skills; we are investing in Nigeria’s future by building a generation of job creators,” Sanya said.

She also added that the program aligns with the Federal Government’s renewed push to strengthen SMEs as a critical driver of Nigeria’s economy. The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) recently reported that SMEs contribute nearly 50% of Nigeria’s GDP and account for more than 80% of employment. However, challenges such as limited access to finance, poor business structures, and lack of innovation have hindered their growth. The MTN Foundation’s intervention, she explained, is aimed at bridging these gaps.

Participants in the program will benefit from both physical and digital training platforms. This hybrid model is intended to reach entrepreneurs across urban and rural communities, ensuring inclusivity and wider participation. In addition to training, the foundation is partnering with financial institutions, incubators, and business mentors to provide ongoing support to participants beyond the training phase.

Industry experts have welcomed the development, describing it as timely given Nigeria’s current economic climate. Rising inflation, currency volatility, and high operational costs have placed immense pressure on small businesses. By building entrepreneurial resilience through targeted capacity-building programs, initiatives like MTN’s are seen as crucial to stabilizing and revitalizing the SME ecosystem.

One of the beneficiaries of MTN’s earlier entrepreneurial program, a fashion entrepreneur based in Abuja, shared her experience, noting that the training had transformed her business. “Before joining the MTN Foundation program, I was struggling with proper record-keeping and customer management. After the training, I introduced better financial practices, leveraged digital marketing, and within a year, my revenue doubled. I’m excited that 6,000 more young people will have this life-changing opportunity,” she said.

The MTN Foundation has a track record of supporting Nigerian youth in education, health, and economic empowerment. Over the years, it has invested billions of naira in projects across Nigeria, ranging from ICT labs in universities to medical outreach programs and youth-focused skill-building initiatives. This new commitment to training 6,000 entrepreneurs further solidifies its role as one of the leading private sector drivers of social impact in the country.

Economists argue that sustained private sector involvement in entrepreneurship development is essential for Nigeria’s economic resilience. Government-backed programs often face challenges of bureaucracy and funding limitations, making corporate-led interventions a critical complement. MTN’s program, they say, highlights how corporate social responsibility can align with national economic priorities.

Looking forward, the MTN Foundation revealed that this initiative is part of a broader multi-year plan that seeks to expand entrepreneurial training to tens of thousands of Nigerians. The foundation is also exploring partnerships with technology hubs, universities, and international organizations to scale the impact of its work.

The announcement has sparked optimism among business stakeholders, who believe the program could help mitigate the rising trend of youth migration by giving Nigerian entrepreneurs the skills and opportunities they need to succeed at home. By fostering innovation, encouraging resilience, and promoting inclusivity, the program is expected to create ripple effects that extend beyond the 6,000 direct beneficiaries to their families, communities, and the wider Nigerian economy.

In conclusion, MTN Foundation’s commitment to training 6,000 entrepreneurs comes at a critical moment for Nigeria, where the need for innovation-driven growth has never been greater. By focusing on building the capacity of young entrepreneurs, the initiative not only addresses immediate challenges of unemployment and business survival but also lays a foundation for long-term economic transformation. With this intervention, MTN continues to position itself as more than a telecommunications giant, but as a true partner in Nigeria’s journey toward sustainable growth and development.