As Nigeria moves deeper into 2026, the MTN Foundation is aggressively tackling the digital divide within the SME sector—the “engine room” of the national economy. The Phase 7 of the ICT and Business Skills Training, which kicked off on January 5, 2026, is currently in its final week, equipping 6,000 young Nigerians with the tools to survive and thrive in a tech-driven market.
With over 61,000 applications received in late 2025, the program highlights a massive demand among Nigerian youth for practical, “sovereign” digital competencies.
1. The “Kaizen” Approach to Digital Growth
The training, facilitated by the Learning Core Company, avoids overwhelming micro-business owners with expensive, complex systems. Instead, it focuses on continuous, incremental improvement:
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Start Small: Encouraging the digitization of repetitive tasks like record-keeping and customer messaging.
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Accessible Tools: Training on the strategic use of WhatsApp Business, Canva, and social media visibility.
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Fintech Integration: Mastering the use of MTN’s MoMo API for instant payments and ordering systems.
2. Protecting the Digital Storefront
In an era of rising cyber threats, the 2026 curriculum has introduced a critical pillar: Cybersecurity for SMEs.
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The Lesson: Participants are taught how to secure their business data, recognize phishing attempts, and protect customer financial information.
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Practicality: “If your digital storefront (social media/WhatsApp) is compromised, your business effectively closes,” noted Executive Director Odunayo Sanya.
3. The ₦300 Million Equipment Incentive
To translate skills into tangible growth, the foundation has backed the training with a substantial financial reward system:
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The “Top 600”: At the conclusion of the program in February 2026, the best-performing 600 participants will share a ₦300 million equipment grant.
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Grant Value: Each top performer receives ₦500,000 to ₦600,000 specifically for business equipment—ranging from industrial sewing machines and baking ovens to high-end laptops and logistics tools.
Phase 7 at a Glance (2025–2026)
| Feature | Details |
| Participant Age | 18 – 35 Years |
| Focus Area | Micro-businesses (<2 years old) |
| Training Duration | 5 Weeks (Virtual/Blended) |
| Total Grant Pool | ₦300,000,000 |
| Participating States | Abuja, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Enugu, Ondo, Plateau, Sokoto, Taraba |
4. Impact Story: The “Amoke Alamala” Effect
During the training, facilitators shared a powerful case study of a cafeteria owner, Amoke Alamala, who utilized simple digital ordering and payments to grow her customer base by 300% within just five months. This serves as a “north star” for the 6,000 trainees looking to move from traditional retail to tech-enabled scale.
