MTN Foundation has kicked off the seventh phase of its ICT business skills training programme, targeting over 2,000 entrepreneurs from Nigeria’s small and medium scale enterprises in support of the Federal Government’s National Digital Economy and SME Development agenda.
The virtual training started with its first week running from Monday, January 5, to Friday, January 9, 2026, equipping small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs with digital tools to move from paper based operations to efficient, productivity focused systems.
Business analyst Babajide Jolaolu-Kehinde, moderated by Temiloluwa Oyekanmi, programme and partnerships lead, introduced the SWOT framework, meaning Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats, to help participants assess their businesses and identify improvement areas.
He highlighted digital record keeping, online payments, and customer data tracking as drivers of measurable growth, aligning with government efforts to formalise SMEs, noting that “Hope is good, but action and systems make growth happen.”
Trainers shared examples of traders moving from handwritten ledgers to WhatsApp Business, online marketplaces, spreadsheets, and others expanding through mobile transfers and digital orders to reach distant markets.
Experts explained that manual operations limit sales visibility and customer insight, while digital tools provide real time data, reduce errors, and open wider markets. Participants must adopt at least one digital tool after onboarding, with organisers promising follow up workshops and mentorship during the four week programme.
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