Up to 200 women entrepreneurs in Nigeria are set to receive equipment financing of up to N5 million each under the third edition of the Y’ellopreneur programme.
The initiative is supporting women-led businesses with a combination of intensive business training, pitching opportunities, advisory support and access to finance to help them expand and build more sustainable enterprises.
The participating entrepreneurs recently completed six weeks of intensive training at the Enterprise Development Centre of Pan-Atlantic University, where they received training in business planning, management, market readiness and financing preparation.
The programme’s latest pitch session, held in Lagos, featured 760 entrepreneurs presenting their businesses, with up to 200 women expected to qualify for equipment financing.
The women run businesses across sectors including agro-processing, light manufacturing, fashion, energy, waste management and digital services.
For many of the women participating, the programme provides an opportunity to strengthen the structures behind their businesses while gaining access to resources needed for growth.
The training has focused on helping the entrepreneurs understand how to properly structure and manage their businesses, prepare for investment and make informed decisions about expansion.
Eligible women-led micro, small and medium-sized enterprises can access equipment financing of up to N5 million. They will also receive business advisory support aimed at improving their operations and building sustainable enterprises.
The third edition of Y’ellopreneur is backed by a N1 billion matching fund established by MTN Foundation and the Bank of Industry (BOI), with the financing targeted at 200 women entrepreneurs.
The programme reflects a growing focus on helping women-owned businesses move beyond survival and gain the resources, knowledge and support needed to scale.
