Capacity building is a core mandate of the Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), and we are dedicated to empowering Nigerian MSMEs to formalize, grow, and become more bankable, thus facilitating easier access to available credit.
This year, we are launching the DBN Learning Management System (LMS) – a free learning portal offering carefully curated self-paced courses. The portal is available to all Nigerian MSMEs interested in gaining essential knowledge for business success in Nigeria.
Additionally, DBN will select the best businesses to attend an in-person training session. This session will allow businesses to practically apply key principles, discuss specific needs, and receive targeted business support. All participating businesses will have the opportunity to pitch their business value propositions, with some selected to receive grant funding.
Benefits
- 25 enterprises will be chosen to receive N500,000 grants apiece.
Requirements
- Business owner must be 18 years or older.
- The business owner must be a Nigerian citizen or legal resident.
- Once accepted, the applicant must be able to commit to the training schedule.
- Business must be for-profit and from any sector.
- Applicant must be willing to commit to the training program if accepted.
Selection Process
Training Format: The program uses a blended learning approach, combining virtual and physical training.
- Virtual Training: A self-paced comprehensive curriculum covering basic business principles, broken down into 9 modules, delivered via the DBN learning management platform (BizAid App).
- Onsite Training: A 5-day intense practical training based on a requirements assessment of the selected firms. A total of 350 businesses will be shortlisted for this training, which will be conducted in Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt.
- Pitching Session: All participating businesses will be eligible to pitch their business value propositions, and 25 businesses will be selected to receive grant funding of N500,000 each.
Selection Criteria
- Bankability: Readiness to access credit.
- Feasibility and Sustainability: Viability of the business model.
- Scalability: Potential for business growth and job creation.
Timeline
- 06-May: Registration and online training on the DBN BizAid.
- 10 July – 17 July: Application period for face-to-face training.
- 24 July – 25 July: Selection and announcement of chosen candidates.
- 31 July – 04 August: Face-to-face training in Abuja.
- 14 August – 18 August: Face-to-face training in Lagos.
- 25 August – 01 September: In-person training in Port Harcourt.
Method of Application
- Applications should be submitted electronically using the application portal..
- Interested businesses must register on the DBN BizAid application, complete a minimum of 4 mandatory courses on the BizAid Learning Management platform, and achieve an average score of 70%. The mandatory courses are:
- Accounting & Bookkeeping
- Sustainability for MSMEs
- Marketing and Sales Techniques
- Credit Management/Access to Finance
- Businesses that complete the 4 courses by September 23rd will receive an email with a link to apply for the face-to-face training.
- Upon submitting the application form, applicants will receive an email confirmation within 24 hours.
- Applications will be screened and shortlisted according to the eligibility criteria.
- Selection will be conducted using the defined criteria from the pool of shortlisted applications.
- Both phone call and email notifications will be sent to the selected applicants.
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