Introduction The Scheme supports government's policy measures for the promotion of agricultural businesses, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) as vehicles for sustainable economic development and employment generation. Objectives of the Scheme The objectives of the Scheme are to: Improve access to affordable and sustainable finance by Agri-businesses, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Create employment opportunities in Nigeria Boost the managerial capacity of agri-businesses and MSMEs to grow the enterprises into large corporate organizations in line with Federal Government's agenda to develop the real sector and promote inclusive growth. Activities covered by the Scheme Businesses across the agricultural value chain, covering production, inputs supply, storage, processing, logistics and marketing. MSMEs in the real sector including manufacturing, mining and petrochemicals. MSMEs in the service sector including information and communication technology (ICT) and the creative industry. Other activities as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) may determine from time to time. Modalities Financing under the Scheme shall be for start-ups, business expansion or revival of ailing companies and must be in compliance with provisions of BOFIA (1991) as amended The terms of t...

The CBN  Creative Sector Loan The creative sector loan is a Central Bank of Nigeria initiative aimed at capacity building and employment creation for individuals and businesses currently into any of the following: Fashion Information Technology Movie Production Movie Distribution Music Software Engineering Student Loan Requirements Low cost-single digit funding for your business Flexible structure and repayment plans Opportunity to achieve your long-term business goals Excellent financial advisory service How it works Prepare your business plan or statement on how much you want for your business. Go to any Financial and lending Institution subscribed with CBN. The Relationship officers will contact you for further discussion and process your loan request. The maximum interest rate of 9% per annum (all charges inclusive) is applicable on all loans. The repayment period is a maximum of: 3 years for Software Engineering Student Loans 10 years for Movie Production & Distribution, Fashion, Information Technology and Music S/N QUESTIONS ANSWERS 1. What is CIFI? CIFI stands for Creative Industry Finance Initiative. The loan is availed by the Banker’s Committee and facilitated by the CBN. 2. What is the aim of the fund? To provide long term financing for entrepreneurs...

Startup bootcamp is a leading global accelerator, supporting early-stage tech founders to rapidly scale their companies by providing direct access to an international network of the most relevant mentors, partners, and investors in their industry.  We are currently recruiting for our Energy Australia 2020 Accelerator Program set to start in January 2020. MVPs of high-interest include grid integration, smart buildings and infrastructure, net-zero, electric mobility, energy management, IoT, artificial intelligence, among others. During our intense 3-month accelerator program, selected energy startups receive hands-on mentorship from over 100 industry experts, free office space, seed funding, and access to a global network of investors with the ultimate goal of scaling their businesses and becoming industry-leading companies. Our previous cohorts have so far raised over $80 million as well as helping solve problems in energy efficiency, grid stabilisation and energy independence many have setup offices or relocated to Melbourne creating local jobs.

  About Fidelity SME Funding Connect The Fidelity SME Funding Connect is a one-day event focused on funding for MSMEs and aimed at galvanizing requisite finance for the growth and development of MSMEs across Nigeria. The event is an exhibition and conference-style platform targeted at local businesses who operate in sectors like Manufacturing, Health, Agriculture, Education, Technology, Entertainment and Lifestyle. The Fidelity SME Funding Connect train will make stops in key policy and commercial hubs across the country, starting with the Lagos edition on August 07, 2019, before moving to Port Harcourt in the last quarter of 2019 and Kano in the first quarter of 2020. The Lagos edition is scheduled to hold on August 07, 2019 at the Landmark Event Center , Plot 2 & 3 Water Corporation Drive, Victoria Island, Lagos. Please complete your profile to attend the event. Deadline for Completing the Application for the Grant Competition is July 26, 2019 . What is the Structure of the Fidelity SME Funding Connect? Each edition of the Fidelity SME Funding Connect will feature capacity building plenary sessions with fund providers and model entrepreneurs; grant competition with N4 million in grants and product sessions at the PwC Experience Center; and a pitching and networking coc...

Are you an entrepreneur with an innovative start-up that contributes towards a more sustainable planet? Enter the Postcode Lotteries Green Challenge, one of the largest annual international competitions for bright entrepreneurs that successfully combine sustainability, entrepreneurship and creativity. Your idea should be ready to go to market within two years. Pitch your start-up to win €500,000 and six months of expert coaching. ENTRY CRITERIA Your business solution should contribute towards a more sustainable planet. For example: stop plastic pollution, reduce food waste or fight climate change by reducing co2 emissions. And your solution should be ready to go to market within the next two years. YOUR SOLUTION Your business solution should contribute towards a more sustainable planet. For example: stop plastic pollution, reduce food waste or fight climate change by reducing co2 emissions. should be developed enough to execute should be realisable as a usable product or service within the next two years should preferably have integrated Cradle2Cradle principles in the designs Besides these criteria, the jury will also look at factors such as communication potential, courageousness and creativity. HOW IT WORKS Complete the online application: From 1 March to 1 May 2019 The prelim...

GroFin is a pioneering development financier specializing in financing and supporting small and growing businesses (SGBs) across Africa and the Middle East. GroFin combines patient capital and specialized business support to grow emerging market enterprises. SGB Fund: First of its kind, uncapped and unlimited-life fund to support growth of small and growing businesses in Africa. Officially launched by GroFin on September 23rd, 2015. Fund Size: US $100+ Million Focus: Focus on Small and Growing Businesses (SGBs) that are grossly underserved by other funds or financiers. Delivers a unique integrated solution for patient risk capital and end-to-end business support to start-up and growing businesses at the SME base. Locations: Nigeria, Ghana, Zambia, Egypt, South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda Investors: Shell Foundation, KfW, Dutch Good Growth Fund, Norfund, GroFin. Objectives: 80 – 100 investments per year at an average deal size of USD $100,000- USD $1.5 million in local currency. The fund typically provides finance in forms of medium term loans. Over 10 years the growing SGB portfolio will sustain 32,000 employees as part of its impact. A specialist fund manager with a proven track record and local capacity in 9 countries in Africa. Duration: Unlimited Eligibility crite...

The IIC awards over one million dollars in prizes to future of work entrepreneurs in four categories that holistically represent the solution types necessary to build an economy that works for all in the digital era. CATEGORIES Skills Development & Opportunity Matching How do we skill workers and provide pathways to the work opportunities of the future? How do we better connect workers and employers? Income Growth & Job Creation How do we ensure that workers earn sufficient and growing incomes to achieve satisfactory quality of life and living standards? How do we reimagine struggling industries and create new opportunities for work? Technology Access How do we connect more people with internet and technology access, regardless of age, location, education, or ability? Financial Inclusion How do we ensure financial security and stability for more people? How do we enable more people to access the benefits of financial services? WHO SHOULD APPLY MIT seeks startups and entrepreneurial organizations of any age, size, or type (for-profit or non-profit), located anywhere in the world that are creating economic opportunity for moderate and low income earners. Does your organization's use of technology substantially improve economic prosperity for working people? Is your organiza...

  TOTAL Total is a global integrated energy producer and provider, a leading international oil and gas company, a major player in low-carbon energies. Their 98,000 employees are committed to better energy that is safer, cleaner, more efficient, more innovative and accessible to as many people as possible. As a responsible corporate citizen, they focus on ensuring that their operations in more than 130 countries worldwide consistently deliver economic, social and environmental benefits. VINCI Energies In a world undergoing constant change, VINCI Energies focuses on connections, performance, energy efficiency and data to fast track the rollout of new technologies and support two major changes: the digital transformation and the energy transition. With their strong regional roots and agile organizational structure, VINCI Energies' 1,600 business units boost the reliability, safety and efficiency of energy, transport and communication infrastructure, factories and buildings. Total & VINCI Energies have 2 Challenges, that could enable you to get a booth in the AfricaTech Lab at VivaTech: – Challenge for Sustainable Mobility: Around 450 million people in Africa are estimated to have been left unconnected due to missing transport infrastructure and systems. Limited access to tr...

The Anzisha Prize is Africa's biggest award for the youngest entrepreneurs and hands out over USD $100,000 every year in funding to entrepreneurs from all over the continent. If you believe that you could be one of these entrepreneurs then watch the video below and download the application guide to see if you are eligible for the prize, then apply below! ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA You must be between 15 and 22 years old with an ID document or Passport to present as evidence. Anyone born before November 1, 1996 or after October 31, 2004 will not be considered. You must be a national of an African country with a business based in Africa for African customers/ beneficiaries. Your business must be up and running. The Anzisha Prize is not for great ideas or business plans – you must have already started, and be able to prove it! You have time to get started now and have tangible results to share before applications open. Your business, invention or social project can be in any field or industry (science and technology, civil society, arts and culture, sports, etc.). Any kind of venture is welcome to apply. Individuals who apply must be one of the founding members of a business (for example, 2 or 3 co-founders who started up the project together) TO BE SELECTED AS ONE OF ANZISHA VENTURES, YO...

Is your start-up enterprise innovative, locally driven, and eco-inclusive? Is your enterprise making significant contributions to inclusive climate change mitigation and/or adaptation? Does your enterprise aim to replicate business activities in another region or country?Apply for the SEED Awards to take your enterprise to the next level. Up to 66 prize packages will be awarded to locally-driven and early-stage enterprises, which leverage their innovative business solutions to solve social and environmental challenges across Africa and Asia. SEED LOW CARBON AWARDSGhana, India, Indonesia, South Africa, Thailand & Uganda 6 Winners receive 1 year SEED Accelerator support & €10,000* grant each 24 Finalists receive 6 months SEED Catalyser support & €1,500 grant each SEED AFRICA AWARDSMalawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe 5 Winners receive 1 year SEED Accelerator support & €20,000* grant each 20 Finalists receive 6 months SEED Catalyser support & Top 5 finalists will also receive €5,000* grant each SEED SOUTH AFRICA AWARDS Sou​​​ ​ ​ ​ ​​ th Africa 3 Winners receive 1 year SEED Accelerator support & €10,000* grant each 8 Finalists receive 6 months SEED Catalyser support & €1,500* grant each ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA You are eligible to apply for the SEED Awards 2019 if your e...

Startup of the Year (SOTY), powered by Established since 2006, discovers and supports the most promising and innovative startups from around the world. Do you have what it takes to become the next Startup of the Year champion? ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA ● Be fewer than 6 years old ● Have raised less than $5MM in funding ● Be an independent company (not a subsidiary) ● Have a working beta product or service ABOUT THE COMPETITION The Startup of the Year (SOTY) competition takes place over a 1-year period and culminates at our annual event each fall. STARTUP OF THE YEAR 1 . Attracts the most innovative, emerging startups from around the world – and has been since 2006. In doing so, we have had the pleasure of meeting and helping to amplify the stories of some great companies such as GrubHub, Groupon, LivingSocial, AddThis, Desk, and Uber. 2. Provides founders the opportunity to grow their startup to its best potential via a global network that includes investors, influencers, and a world-wide startup community. Check out the Daily Dealflow to learn how to get your startup in front of our global community. 3. Elevates inclusivity and embraces diversity; our 2018 competition had nearly 50% women or minority founders.

Startupbootcamp AfriTech is a Pan African, mentor-driven and corporate-backed accelerator, aimed at empowering innovators. Startupbootcamp AfriTech empowers the top innovative African tech startups, linking them to the fastest-moving corporates on the continent. We are sponsored by Old Mutual, Nedbank, RCS, BNP Paribas and PwC. In 2019 we will be visiting 15 countries and hosting 19 events . Startupbootcamp AfriTech is inviting startups, mentors, investors, corporates and thought leaders t join us at our FastTracks (one-day pitching events) Office Hours (networking and mentoring) and themed Hackathons in a city near you. The 10 most promising startups selected from the applications, will be invited to present their innovative ideas to the Startupbootcamp team and fellow entrepreneurs. Startups will have the opportunity to receive mentor feedback , network with corporates and learn more about the Cape Town-based Startupbootcamp accelerator program. If you're a startup, we encourage you to apply now. With only 10 spots available for the day, the earlier you apply the higher your chances are of attending the event. FastTracks, Office Hours and Hackathons are a one to two-day events which are a great way to meet the Startupbootcamp team, corporates, startup mentors and investors...

The 2019 Global Entrepreneurship Summit will gather some of the world's most inspiring entrepreneurs innovating in Agriculture, Connectivity, Energy, Health, and Water. GES 2019 offers an unparalleled stage for scale-ups and a chance to showcase their enterprises before a selected group of top investors, founders, funders, experts and policy makers. Be prepared to participate with your drive and ambition and to offer new perspectives on tech solutions to global challenges as untapped business opportunities. Notification of selection to join will be made by March 4, 2019. Confirmation of attendance by invitees must be received by April 2019. Most entrepreneurs will need to cover the cost of their travel and lodging to attend. A very limited number of scholarships are available. There is no conference fee associated with this event.

  The Bank of Industry Limited (BOI) is Nigeria's oldest, largest and most successful development financing institution. It was reconstructed in 2001 out of the Nigerian Industrial Development Bank (NIDB) Limited, which was incorporated in 1964. The bank took off in 1964 with an authorized share capital of 2 million (GBP). The International Finance Corporation which produced its pioneer Chief Executive held 75% of its equity along with a number of domestic and foreign private investors. Although the bank's authorized share capital was initially set at N50 billion in the wake of NIDB's reconstruction into BOI in 2001, it has been increased to 250 billion in order to put the bank in a better position to address the nation's rising economic profile in line with its mandate. Following a successful institutional, operational and financial restructuring programme embarked upon in 2002, the bank has transformed into an efficient, focused and profitable institution that is well placed to effectively carry out its primary mandate of providing long term financing to the industrial sector of the Nigerian economy. 8 things you should know about BOI Loans 1. Mandate The bank of industry targets businesses that engage in manufacturing and processing activities. Target sub-sectors include ...

The principal aim of the U.S. African Development Foundation (USADF) grants is to enable grassroots groups in Africa to generate increased income through productive enterprises that expand the overall economic production capacity and increase the economic security of their families and communities. ADF provides small grants of US$250,000 or less to private and other non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Africa to: Finance sustainable poverty alleviating initiatives that are conceived, designed, and implemented by Africans and aimed at enlarging opportunities for community development; Stimulate and expand the participation of Africa's economically poor in the development of their countries; and Build sustainable African institutions that foster grassroots development. African Development Foundation Grants - Eligible Countries! ADF only provides funding to organisations based in African countries where it works namely: Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, DRC, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. ADF provides unsolicited grant support for projects focused on the development of micro- and small enterprises, export trade and investment activities of small and medium-scale enterprises, and ...

The Tony Elumelu Foundation, the leading African-funded and founded philanthropy committed to empowering African entrepreneurs, is currently seeking applications for the 2019 cohort of the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme.  The Programme is a 10-year, $100 million commitment to identify, train, mentor and fund 10,000 African entrepreneurs. The Programme's objective is to generate at least 1,000,000 new jobs and create at least $10 billion in new business revenue across Africa. Now in its 5th year, the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme has empowered 4,470 entrepreneurs, using a bespoke and robust selection, training and implementation process to create visible and sustainable impact across all 54 African countries. Outstanding African entrepreneurs running existing start-ups with high growth potential and aspiring business owners with transformative ideas are invited to apply. They are particularly looking to grow representation from French, Arabic and Portuguese speakers, as well as female entrepreneurs. Inspired by Tony Elumelu's economic philosophy of Africapitalism and his vision to institutionalize luck and democratize opportunity for a new generation of African entrepreneurs, the Foundation has implemented one of the most ambitious entrepreneurship programmes globa...

UNIDO-Hewlett-Packard (HP) Global Partnership Programme partners with Nigeria Entrepreneurs Network in Entrepreneurship & IT Training for Youth in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. "Young people can play a greater role in micro-enterprise development, which is one of the best ways to create jobs. Training offers a taste of professional life, making the transition from education to business much easier." Gabriele Zedlmayer, Vice President of Corporate Marketing, HP Europe, Middle East and Africa. Context In most developing countries, micro- and small scale enterprises account for a significant share of the private sector and are important drivers for job creation. However, they often operate below their potential since business owners lack the relevant entrepreneurship, management and IT skills to develop and become more efficient. Entrepreneurship training is thus increasingly being recognized as an important element in tackling unemployment and triggering economic growth. Moreover, it strengthens the social inclusion of marginalized people (the very poor, youth, women, minorities) as it enables them to engage actively in productive economic activities. Strategy Since May 2008, UNIDO has been partnering with Hewlett Packard (HP), one of the world's largest tech...

You have the next big innovative idea brewing inside you, so what next? You are excited about the prospect of your innovation, yet you don't seem to know how to begin. Your head is overcrowded with ideas so much that you don't have a clear path of execution any longer. That is always the case with any new project – they seem exciting yet so hard to begin. Such confusion can be totally overwhelming, especially for the new innovator or young entrepreneur. What you need to sail through your coast of ideas is mental strength and a clear focus. If you are not mentally tough and prepared, you might end up giving up on your idea, regrettably. Sadly, many people surrender at this stage even when they have a chance to make a difference. The words of Amaru Shakur come strikingly true here: "Death is not the greatest loss in life. The greatest loss is what dies inside while still alive. Never surrender." This is very true. There are many great men who are regarded as heroes and legends today because of what they left behind – their inventions, innovations and great ideas that changed the world. Think of Nikolas Tesla, H.P Lovecraft, Thomas Edison, Charles Babbage, Blaise Pascal, Michael Faraday, etc. Also think of the great innovators of our time – Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg, a...

  The internet has produced millions of entrepreneurs over the past decades or so. These millionaire or billionaire entrepreneurs are people who found ways to consistently earn money online, build a sustainable business, and are constantly exploring ways to use the internet to grow and expand their businesses. These are internet entrepreneurs, and their business revolves around the online space. To these people, the internet is such a goldmine and they treat it as such. People have found different ways to earn money online, but they are not necessarily internet entrepreneurs. Being an internet entrepreneur implies running a sustainable online business or businesses. Often, these online businesses are real world businesses that fill a need or solve a problem. For instance, I am one of the many people who earn money online by being savvy internet entrepreneurs. The simple strategy I use is by creating value, knowing what sells and what doesn't sell. But also I acquire enough information. And that is what you are doing right now. The gap between the rich and poor is information, not money. This is because information brings knowledge, wisdom and understanding. With this information, your eyes will be open to see what the ignorant can't see, hence why they remain poor. In the bu...

How to become a millionaire with no money? First admit that you are broke! This is something very important that most people don't feel comfortable talking about. And the reason we don't like to talk about it is because we're ashamed to admit it. Most people hardly admit the reality of being broke. Yes, ashamed. And that's because we live in a society that expects people who run their own business to be successful. So, if you're an entrepreneur, you should be making money right? The truth is, most entrepreneurs, especially in the start-up stage, are broke. Being broke is one of the worst things you can be in today's world. Most people actually think it's a disease. In fact, it can be so bad that you could lose friends and social standing just by being broke. And to avoid this, many entrepreneurs prefer to suffer in silence and pretend that business is fine. If you're this person, or you know somebody who is going through this, there's something you really need to know: Being broke is a CRITICAL part of the start-up journey. In fact, if you don't go broke while you're trying to build your business, it's very unlikely that you will find any major success. Become a Self-Made Millionaire: Learn from Successful Entrepreneurs Yes, this is how to become a millionaire with no money, a se...