MTN digital skills training targets youth-led SMEs, benefits over 6000 microbusinesses

2026-02-04 - 13:38

By Prince Osuagwu MTN Foundation kicked off the year with its five-week ICT Skills and Training programme, upskilling 6,000 young Nigerians. The programme which is in its fifth week started on January 5, 2026. The seventh phase of the project is focused on supporting Nigeria’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to embrace digital transformation, at a time when SMEs remain the backbone of the Nigerian economy. According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), SMEs account for over 90 per cent of businesses in Nigeria and employ a significant portion of the country’s workforce, underscoring the importance of initiatives that strengthen their productivity and sustainability. Following a one-month call for applications in September 2025, over 61,000 entries came from Nigerians between the ages of 18 and 35. The 6,000 selected trainees have embarked on a five-week training that will end this month. The virtual training programme began with a general onboarding session that brought together participants across four business tracks and set the foundation for a four-week programme focused on practical digital growth. Microbusiness owners from sectors including food services, fashion, retail, logistics, beauty, and printing attended the training. The programme emphasises practical, affordable digital tools rather than complex or costly technology, ensuring that even early-stage SMEs with limited resources can begin their digital journey and see measurable results. At the heart of the training is the principle that digital transformation is a continuous journey, not a one-off exercise. Participants were encouraged to start small, digitise repetitive tasks, and scale gradually using the Kaizen approach of continuous improvement. This mindset allows SMEs to see technology as a practical enabler of growth rather than a barrier. As the week progressed, the trainees also learned about telesales and cybersecurity. Speaking on the importance of the initiative, Executive Director MTN Foundation, Odunayo Sanya, said the programme is designed to equip young microbusiness owners with skills that directly address real business challenges. She said: “Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and helping young people adopt simple digital tools can make a real difference in productivity, sustainability, and long-term growth”. The implementation partner, spearheaded by Learning Core Company, an e-learning platform dedicated to upskilling Nigerian youth with the digital skills needed to thrive, commenced the programme with a session facilitated by Babajide Jolaolu-Kehinde, a Business Analyst and Digital Transformation Expert. He guided participants through step-by-step approaches tailored to small businesses. He also facilitated a session titled “Digital Transformation: Meaning and Urgency for Nigerian Businesses,” where he highlighted how automating repetitive tasks saves time, reduces errors, and improves efficiency. Babajide introduced accessible tools such as WhatsApp and WhatsApp Business for customer engagement, as well as the integration of similar tools with MTN’s MoMo API. He emphasised that improved digital visibility enables SMEs to better understand customer behaviour and make informed business decisions. The impact of these tools was illustrated through facilitator-led case studies shared during the session. These included case studies such as Amoke Alamala, a cafeteria owner who grew her customer base by 300 per cent within five months using digital ordering and payments. The popular Korede Spaghetti around the University of Lagos expanded from a roadside kiosk to online sales, increasing daily orders from 20 to 95 plates through digital storefronts, QR code payments, and social media marketing. Participants will continue to access learning materials and session recordings for the 5-week course, ensuring that digital adoption extends beyond the classroom. By combining practical guidance, relatable case studies, and ongoing support, the programme reinforces the message that digital growth for SMEs does not require heavy investment or advanced technology.