MTN Foundation Build Sustainability Transformation with Digital Skills Programme for 2,000 Nigerian Entrepreneurs

As Nigeria intensifies efforts to build a resilient digital economy, the MTN Foundation is reinforcing its role as a strategic enabler of inclusive growth through the seventh phase of its ICT Business Skills Training programme, empowering over 2,000 small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) across the country.
Aligned with the Federal Government’s National Digital Economy Policy and SME Development agenda, the virtual training held from January 5 to January 9, 2026 targets one of the most persistent barriers facing Nigerian SMEs: limited digital capacity. Many small businesses continue to rely on paper based systems that restrict scalability, transparency, and access to wider markets. MTN Foundation’s intervention directly addresses this gap by equipping entrepreneurs with practical digital tools to improve efficiency, productivity, and long-term sustainability.
The first week of the programme focused on foundational business analysis and digital readiness. Led by business analyst Babajide Jolaolu Kehinde and moderated by Temiloluwa Oyekanmi, Programme and Partnerships Lead at MTN Foundation, participants were introduced to the SWOT framework as a structured approach to evaluating business performance. The exercise enabled entrepreneurs to identify internal weaknesses, uncover growth opportunities, and respond more strategically to external threats in an increasingly competitive marketplace.
Beyond theory, the training placed strong emphasis on real world application. Participants explored the benefits of digital record keeping, customer data management, and online payment systems, practices that not only support business growth but also contribute to the formalisation of Nigeria’s SME sector.

According to the facilitators, adopting simple tools such as spreadsheets, WhatsApp Business, and online marketplaces has helped many traders expand beyond their immediate communities and access new customer segments.
The programme also highlighted the economic cost of remaining analogue. Trainers noted that manual record keeping limits visibility into sales trends and customer behaviour, often leading to inefficiencies and missed opportunities. In contrast, digital tools provide real time insights, reduce operational errors, and improve decision-making key ingredients for sustainable SME growth in a digital first economy.
A defining feature of the MTN Foundation initiative is its results driven approach. Participants were encouraged to implement at least one digital improvement by the end of the first week, reinforcing the programme’s focus on action rather than awareness alone. Plans are already in place for follow-up workshops and mentorship sessions, ensuring that the skills acquired translate into measurable business outcomes.
By extending the training over an additional four weeks, the MTN Foundation is positioning the programme as more than a one-off intervention. Instead, it represents a long-term investment in Nigeria’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, supporting job creation, financial inclusion, and economic resilience.
Through this initiative, MTN Foundation continues to demonstrate how corporate social responsibility can move beyond philanthropy to deliver scalable, impact driven solutions that empower small businesses and contribute meaningfully to national development goals.

The initiative also underscores the growing importance of private sector participation in building Nigeria’s digital capacity. By focusing on micro and small enterprises often the most vulnerable yet economically significant segment of the business ecosystem the MTN Foundation is helping to close the digital divide that limits competitiveness and access to finance. As more SMEs adopt digital records, online payments, and customer management tools, they become better positioned to attract partnerships, access formal credit, and integrate into broader value chains. Ultimately, the ICT Business Skills Training reflects a broader shift in CSR thinking, from short-term support to long term capability building. With structured follow up, mentorship, and practical implementation at its core, the programme is expected to deliver lasting impact well beyond the training period. For Nigeria’s SME sector, the intervention represents a critical step towards sustainable growth, innovation, and resilience in an increasingly digital economy.