MTN Foundation Free ICT Training for Young Entrepreneurs

MTN Foundation ICT and Business Skills Free Training Young Entrepreneurs (Up to ₦1 Million Equipment Grant Fund After Training)

The MTN Foundation ICT and Business Skills Training Programme Phase 8 is now accepting applications from young Nigerian women who own and manage microbusinesses.

The programme will train 3,000 female microbusiness owners between the ages of 18 and 35 from Rivers, Abia, Ogun, Kwara, Kano and Gombe States.

Selected participants will receive five weeks of ICT and business skills training through online learning, instructor-led sessions, business masterclasses and a practical capstone project.

There is also an ₦100 million equipment grant fund attached to the programme. The top 100 participants can receive up to ₦1 million each in equipment support after the training.

Applications close on October 11, 2026.

MTN Foundation ICT and Business Skills Training Phase 8

The MTN Foundation ICT and Business Skills Training Programme is designed to help young Nigerian microbusiness owners develop practical digital and business skills that can help them run and grow their businesses.

The programme has been running since 2018 and has gone through seven previous phases.

According to MTN Foundation, 15,362 young microbusiness owners have completed the programme across 29 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

Previous phases were delivered in partnership with organisations including Google, Oracle, KPMG, IBM, Digital Bridge Institute, Cisco, Meta and Microsoft.

For Phase 8, the programme has been designed specifically for female microbusiness owners in six Nigerian states.

3,000 Women Will Be Selected

MTN Foundation plans to train 3,000 women under Phase 8.

The opportunity is targeted at women who have already started a microbusiness and want to improve their ICT, digital and business skills.

Applicants must meet the programme’s age, business and location requirements before applying.

The six states covered by Phase 8 are:

Rivers State
Abia State
Ogun State
Kwara State
Kano State
Gombe State

If your business is located outside these six states, you do not meet the stated location requirement for this phase.

Who Can Apply for the MTN Foundation Programme?

The Phase 8 programme has specific eligibility requirements.

You can apply if you:

Are a Nigerian woman
Are between 18 and 35 years old
Own and manage a microbusiness
Have operated the business for no more than two years
Have your business located in Rivers, Abia, Ogun, Kwara, Kano or Gombe State

The business must therefore already exist. This is not an application for people who only have a business idea and have not started operating.

Applicants should also make sure the information provided during registration accurately reflects their personal and business details.

What the Five-Week Training Covers

The training will last for five weeks and will use a blended-learning format.

Participants will combine online learning with direct instruction and practical business activities.

Self-Paced Online Modules

Participants will complete online learning modules as part of the programme.

The self-paced format allows participants to work through the relevant learning materials while managing their other responsibilities.

Instructor-Led Sessions

The programme will also include instructor-led training sessions.

These sessions will provide participants with direct teaching and guidance as they work through the programme.

Business Masterclasses

Participants will take part in masterclasses led by experienced entrepreneurs.

The sessions are intended to give participants practical business knowledge that can be applied to their existing businesses.

Capstone Project

Participants will also complete a capstone project challenge.

This gives them an opportunity to put some of the skills learned during the programme into practice.

Data Support

MTN Foundation will provide data support to participants during the training.

This will help participants access the online components of the programme without having to handle the full cost of the required data themselves.

How the ₦1 Million Equipment Grant Works

The equipment grant is one of the major benefits attached to the Phase 8 programme, but not every participant will receive it.

MTN Foundation has set aside a total of ₦100 million for equipment grants.

The top 100 participants will be eligible to receive up to ₦1 million each.

This means the programme has two separate opportunities:

3,000 women will participate in the five-week ICT and business skills training.
The top 100 participants will have an opportunity to receive equipment grants of up to ₦1 million each.

Therefore, applicants should not assume that submitting an application or completing the training automatically guarantees the ₦1 million grant.

The grant is tied to performance and is specifically reserved for the top 100 participants.

What the Equipment Grant Means for Participants

MTN Foundation describes the support as an equipment grant, rather than a general cash grant.

Applicants should therefore not expect every selected trainee to receive ₦1 million directly as unrestricted cash.

The equipment support is intended to help selected entrepreneurs strengthen their businesses.

The programme’s previous phases have also provided equipment support to participants.

MTN Foundation says 1,100 recipients from previous phases have received equipment grants totalling ₦430 million.

Why the Training is Useful for Small Business Owners

Many microbusiness owners rely heavily on digital tools to promote their products, communicate with customers, receive orders and manage day-to-day operations.

The Phase 8 programme is designed to help participants develop skills in ICT and business that can be applied to their existing businesses.

The training is therefore not simply an application for financial support.

Participants will spend five weeks learning, attending sessions, taking part in masterclasses and completing the capstone project.

The equipment grant provides an additional opportunity for the highest-performing participants.

How to Apply for MTN Foundation ICT and Business Skills Training

Eligible applicants can apply through the official MTN Foundation ICT and Business Skills Training page.

Step 1: Visit the official MTN Foundation ICT and Business Skills Training page. : https://www.mtn.ng/mtnf-ict/

MTN Foundation Phase 8 application page

Step 2: Read the Phase 8 eligibility requirements before starting the application.

Make sure you meet the age, gender, business and state requirements.

Step 3: Select the “Click here to apply” option on the official page.

Step 4: Complete the application form with your personal and business information.

Step 5: Review your details carefully before submitting the application.

Applicants should provide accurate information and avoid entering details that do not match their actual circumstances.

What to Have Ready Before Applying

It is useful to have your basic personal and business information available before starting the application.

You should be prepared to provide information about your:

Personal details
Age
Business
Business location
Business operations
Contact information

Make sure the information you provide is accurate.

If the application asks you to describe your business, explain clearly what the business does, what products or services you provide and how long you have been operating.

MTN Foundation Phase 8 Application Deadline

The deadline for the MTN Foundation ICT and Business Skills Training Phase 8 application is October 11, 2026.

Applicants who meet the requirements should submit their applications before the deadline.

Waiting until the final day can create unnecessary problems if there are issues with the application process or internet connection.

Important Things Applicants Should Know

There are a few points applicants should understand before applying.

The programme is for women: Phase 8 specifically targets female Nigerian microbusiness owners.

The age limit is 18 to 35: Applicants must fall within the stated age range.

Your business must already be operating: The programme is for people who own and manage a microbusiness that has operated for no more than two years.

Location matters: Only businesses located in Rivers, Abia, Ogun, Kwara, Kano and Gombe are eligible for Phase 8.

The training lasts five weeks: Selected participants are expected to participate in the programme and complete its different learning activities.

The ₦1 million is not guaranteed: Only the top 100 participants can receive up to ₦1 million in equipment grants.

The total grant fund is ₦100 million: This is the combined equipment grant fund for the 100 selected top participants.