BOI and MTN launch ₦1 billion fund to empower women entrepreneurs

Business, Cityscope

BUSINESS (NPA) — March 18, 2026 — Nigeria’s Bank of Industry (BOI) has joined forces with telecom giant MTN to unveil the BOI–MTN Foundation Y’ellopreneur 3.0 Matching Fund, a ₦1 billion initiative aimed at boosting women-led enterprises across the country.

In a statement released Wednesday, BOI emphasised that the programme is designed not only to provide affordable financing but also to deliver training and advisory support, enabling women entrepreneurs to scale their businesses sustainably. The collaboration underscores a growing recognition of women’s role in driving innovation, job creation, and economic growth in Nigeria.

The initiative comes on the heels of International Women’s Day celebrations, where global calls for greater investment in women’s participation in business and governance were amplified. By aligning with this momentum, BOI and MTN are positioning the Y’ellopreneur 3.0 Fund as a practical step toward closing gender gaps in access to capital and entrepreneurial opportunities.

Officials noted that beyond financial support, the programme will foster mentorship networks and capacity-building workshops, ensuring that beneficiaries gain the skills and resilience needed to thrive in competitive markets.

This latest partnership highlights BOI’s continued commitment to inclusive development and MTN’s dedication to corporate social responsibility, reinforcing the message that empowering women entrepreneurs is essential to Nigeria’s long-term economic transformation.