The Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) of Pan-Atlantic University, in collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation, has unveiled a comprehensive handbook aimed at fostering inclusive and equitable entrepreneurship in Nigeria. The official launch event, held on Monday in Lagos, focused on strategies for inclusive entrepreneurship programming across the country.
In her address at the launch, Professor Enase Okonedo, Vice-Chancellor of Pan-Atlantic University, emphasized the importance of the handbook as a vital resource for anyone interested in developing programs for inclusive and equitable entrepreneurship. “This handbook is a guide for those designing initiatives that support inclusive entrepreneurship,” Okonedo stated. “It was created by the EDC with invaluable support from the Mastercard Foundation.”
Professor Okonedo also stressed the need for collaborative efforts across sectors to build a more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem in Nigeria. “For entrepreneurship to be truly transformative, we must address structural, financial, cultural, and gender-based barriers. Collaboration among individuals, communities, civil society organizations, governments, universities, and the private sector is essential. Recognizing and addressing these barriers is the first step towards creating a more inclusive entrepreneurial landscape.”
Rosy Fynn, the Country Director for Nigeria Programmes at the Mastercard Foundation, noted the significance of the handbook in advancing inclusive entrepreneurship in Nigeria. “This handbook will be a game changer. It draws on years of collaboration with the EDC and our work with vulnerable groups—such as women, persons with disabilities, youth, and the internally displaced. The handbook provides a practical blueprint for organizations to design inclusive programs that cater to these groups,” Fynn said.
Fynn highlighted the importance of addressing key challenges faced by marginalized groups, including limited access to finance, markets, and training, as well as mindset shifts and inadequate policies. “By tackling these issues head-on, we can help vulnerable groups, particularly women, build sustainable, thriving businesses,” she added.
Dr. Nneka Okekearu, Director of the Enterprise Development Centre at Pan-Atlantic University, explained that the EDC’s 21 years of experience in entrepreneurship programming across Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa had revealed significant gaps in inclusivity. This, she noted, inspired the creation of the handbook. “In recent years, our partnership with the Mastercard Foundation has focused on transforming the lives of Nigerian youth through capacity building and mindset shifts. The insights we gained during this process highlighted the need for more inclusive programming, which led to the development of this handbook,” Okekearu explained.
Dr. Okekearu emphasized that the handbook is not just a resource for developing entrepreneurship initiatives but also a practical training manual. “This handbook is designed to guide people in creating inclusive programs that ensure no one is left behind, particularly women and persons with disabilities,” she said. “Achieving meaningful change requires a shift in mindset. Without this shift, even the best government policies and resources will not deliver the desired outcomes.”
The launch event marked a significant step toward creating a more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem in Nigeria, with the EDC and Mastercard Foundation reinforcing their commitment to supporting underrepresented groups and fostering equitable economic growth.
