MTN’s N90m equipment grant, like most grant programs, focuses on private companies in Nigeria, yet accessing these grants is undeniably challenging for business people.
Generally speaking, the grants frequently go to proficient business people, who live in metropolitan communities and are connected to an organization that helps facilitate the cycle concerning references.
A large number of business people who don’t fall into any of these classifications are not having it simply getting supported.
For Abafi Sokowonchi Angela who maintains her business Sokowonci PCs in Kogi State, access to subsidizing is an enormous undertaking. As indicated by the Public Department of Measurements, Kogi State has a destitution pace of 49.8 percent, which is higher than the public neediness pace of 40.1 percent.
Her experience is like Christy Francis, who possesses a design business in Adamawa Express, one more state with a destitution rate as high as 74% making it the eighth least fortunate state in Nigeria.
“Raising funds has not been easy, as my business equipment is quite pricey, and raising funds has not exactly been a walk in the park,” Abafi said.
Sokowonci is a computer business center that utilizes computer training, photocopy, lamination, binding, typesetting, internet services, CBT practice, graphic design, and scanning.
The business has to grapple with the rising price of computers and other equipment that are required to provide ICT solutions for its customers. Abafi says she needs a Direct Image printing machine for colored printing.
“These days when I have customers who need colored printing, I have to take the job somewhere else to get it done,” Abafi said.
A report by the International Trade Centre (ITC) found that the vast majority of Nigerian SMEs are underfunded, with only 15 percent of SMEs accessing formal credit. This is a challenge MTN Foundation is attempting to fix.
Abafi was one of the recipients of the Equipment Grant by the MTN Foundation, which was a result of participating in the MTN ICT and Business Skills Training Programme.
The objective of the training is to build the capacity of young entrepreneurs between the ages of 18 to 35, at the same time enhance their employability and entrepreneurial skills.
The training is implemented with the support of ecosystem partners such as Oracle, Microsoft, KPMG, Cisco, and IBM.
Abafi and Francis say participants do not need to be connected to anyone to be admitted.
“I got to know about the program when I visited a friend who told me about the online ICT and business skills training registration. Just like every other person I registered and it was a great experience,” Abafi said.
Read also: How Nigerian SMEs Can Thrive through Digital Collaboration
Since it was kicked off in 2018, the program has targeted mostly entrepreneurs building innovative businesses in rural areas.
Hence, it is by a stretch, one of the far-reaching grant programs that seeks to offer lifelines to businesses beyond the urban centers.
It has so far covered 16 states including Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Borno, Cross River, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kogi, Lagos, Nasarawa, Oyo, and Rivers with 4,036 people completing the program.
“I learned a lot from the Microsoft training and Meta training which I currently implement in my business and also teach my students. I also learned not to give up and start with the little I have.
Initially, I had lost the courage to start the computer business as I had just two computers without a shop. When we started the training, we were taught that we could start our business with whatever little we had. I also learned proper customer relationship skills. I am very grateful to the MTN Foundation for making my dreams come true,” said Abafi.
Unlike other grant programs, the MTN ICT and Business Skills Training Programme takes a different approach. The businesses that are selected for the grant are not given cash directly.
MTN rather gives them business gear. The members are expected to list gear to help their business and MTN Establishment gives it to them.
This model ensures that the funds are deployed to exact needs enabling entrepreneurs to focus their energy on reaching their goals in business.
“I’ve always had this great passion for fashion and that’s because I’m always intentional about the things I wear. I have a great sense of fashion. But sometimes I feel I’m the only one that sees that uniqueness in people and myself,” Christy Francis said.
“I will need the funds to get a shop, and shelves, because for now I don’t have a walk-in store and it’s affecting my business.”
MTN Foundation is currently inviting new participants to apply for the 6th edition of the program. The selected businesses will have the opportunity to be trained in a 5-week online program which includes masterclasses from key industry experts.
The program partners like Microsoft will train participants on Entrepreneurship in the Digital Age, ICT for Business Success, and their new Generative AI skills. Meta will also be training participants on Skills to Build Brands and Grow Businesses Online through their Meta Boost for Small Business.
The deadline for application is 18 August 2023. Click here to apply now.
