MTN Foundation has announced the call for applications for the seventh phase of the ICT and Business Skills Training, a youth-focused initiative designed to upskill and empower micro business owners between the ages of 18 and 35 across Nigeria.

In this phase, the initiative will empower 6,000 young entrepreneurs and aspiring business owners from the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and seven states including Bauchi, Bayelsa, Enugu, Ondo, Plateau, Sokotoand Taraba. This capacity-building effort is part of the Foundation’s commitment to developing sustainable businesses and fostering youth-led economic growth in Nigeria. It targets individuals running micro businesses less than two years old, with a strong interest in digital transformation and entrepreneurship.

Odunayo Sanya, Executive Director, MTN Foundation, said: “We believe in the power of Nigeria’s youth to lead innovation and transformation. Through this programme, we are providing access to the right tools, skills and resources to help young entrepreneurs succeed and make an impact in their communities. For us, it’s a commitment to nation-building.”

Since its inception in 2018, the initiative has trained 9,384 entrepreneurs across 22 states. Of these, 500 micro business owners have received equipment grants to support their business growth. For the 7th phase of this initiative,the call for applications will run for four weeks, after which 6,000 applicants will be shortlisted for four weeks of blended training (self-paced and instructor-led) and a week of Masterclasses featuring industry experts. The top 600 participants will receive post-training support and equipment grants worth up to N300 million in total, to scale their ventures.

The MTN Foundation remains committed to fostering digital inclusion and equipping youth with the skills, tools, and opportunities to improve their livelihoods, drive innovation, and contribute meaningfully to the growth and development of the society.