Unlike entrepreneurs in urban areas who have easier access to business training, finance, and mentorship, many women in rural communities struggle to find the right guidance, resources, workforce support, and opportunities to grow their businesses. They are often excluded from critical business development resources and lack the guidance and support needed to grow sustainably.
To help bridge this gap, the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) partnered with the Better Life Program for the African Rural Woman, chaired by Aisha Babangida, to organize a three-day capacity building programme for 100 female entrepreneurs in Minna, Niger State.
The training featured intensive sessions on financial management, business management skills, and exploring growth opportunities. At the end of the programme, each participant received a ₦100,000 grant to support and expand their business.
Over the course of the three days, each of the 100 beneficiaries underwent an intensive learning experience that covered how to start, manage, and scale a successful enterprise, tailored to their realities as local entrepreneurs.
One of the beneficiaries shared,
“I used to think grants were only for manufacturers and big businesses, but this training helped me understand that even I, as a ‘nano business’—a new word I learned here—can go to SMEDAN for information and support.”
Another participant said,
“Before now, I believed you had to know someone in government to benefit from programmes like this. But this training changed that mindset. I was randomly selected and didn’t know anyone here. I’m grateful to SMEDAN and the Better Life Program for bringing this opportunity right to our doorstep.”
Through initiatives like this, SMEDAN continues to demonstrate its commitment to empowering women in underserved communities and ensuring that no entrepreneur—no matter how small—is left behind.