The Development Bank of Nigeria Entrepreneurship Training Program

The Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) was established by the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) in partnership with global development partners to address the significant financing challenges faced by Micro, Small, and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria.

About the DBN Entrepreneurship Training Program

The DBN Entrepreneurship Training Program (DBNETP) is the flagship program of the Development Bank of Nigeria, currently in its 5th Cycle. Capacity building is a core mandate of the Development Bank of Nigeria. To date, the Bank has digitally and physically trained over 2000 MSMEs across Nigeria, leveraging partnerships and the DBN Learning Management System (LMS).

Objectives

The annual DBN Entrepreneurship Training Program aims to achieve the following objectives:

• Equip MSMEs with skills and competencies to develop sound and viable business proposals.
• Enhance the capacity of MSMEs to access available credit.
• Improve the capacity of MSMEs in efficient fund utilization, trade, investments, and access to markets.

Target Audience

This program is open to all Nigerian MSMEs across any sector who are interested in acquiring the knowledge needed to succeed in doing business in Nigeria.

Training Format

The program takes a blended learning approach, combining virtual and physical training.

Virtual Training:

The virtual training consists of a self-paced comprehensive curriculum covering basic business principles divided into 9 modules. It will be delivered through the DBN learning management platform, BizAid App.

Onsite Training:

The onsite training is a 5-day intensive practical program based on a needs assessment of shortlisted businesses. A total of 350 businesses will be selected for training in Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt.

Pitching Session:

All participating businesses will have the opportunity to pitch their business value proposition, and 25 businesses will be selected to receive a grant funding of N500,000 each.

Training Program Process Flow

To participate in the training program, applicants must follow these steps:

1. Register on the DBN BizAid application.
2. Complete a minimum of 4 mandatory courses on the BizAid Learning Management platform with an average score of 70% in all quizzes. The required courses are:
   1. Accounting & Bookkeeping
   2. Sustainability for MSMEs
   3. Marketing and Sales Techniques
   4. Credit Management/Access to Finance
3. Upon completion of the 4 courses by the deadline, applicants will receive an email with a link to apply for the face-to-face training.
4. After submitting the application form, an email confirming receipt will be sent within 24 hours.
5. Applicants will be screened and shortlisted based on the eligibility criteria.
6. Selection will be carried out using defined criteria from the pool of shortlisted applications.
7. Successful applicants will be notified by email and phone call.
8. The training will commence on announced dates consecutively in Abuja, Lagos, and Port Harcourt.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants shortlisted for the onsite training must meet the following minimum eligibility criteria:

• The owner of the business must be 18 years old or above.
• The business owner must be a citizen or legal resident of Nigeria.
• The business must be based in Nigeria.
• The business must be for-profit from any sector.
• The applicant must be available to commit to the training schedule once accepted.

Selection Criteria

The selection of participants will be based on the following criteria:

• Bankability: Level of readiness to access credit.
• Feasibility and Sustainability of the business model.
• Scalability: Demonstrates potential for business growth and job creation.

Key Dates

Activity / Start Date – End Date:

• Registration and online training on the DBN Biz Aid / 06-May
• Application process for face-to-face training / 10-Jul – 17-Jul
• Selection and announcement of shortlisted participants for the face-to-face training / 24-Jul – 25-Jul
• Face-to-Face training in Abuja / 31-Jul – 04-Aug
• Face-to-Face Training in Lagos / 14-Aug – 18-Aug
• Face-to-Face Training in Port Harcourt / 25-Aug – 01-Sep

How to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates should click the following link to apply: Click Here to Apply