BOI in Partnership with AGDC presents Youth Ignite Initiative 2017 – (Funding for New and Existing Business)

In light of the recent economic downturn, development strategies that create new jobs and support the growth of businesses are of greater need than ever.

Microenterprises play a critical role in this quest as they account for a larger share of newly created jobs. However, only a fraction of these start-ups survive for more than two years or even develop into the high-growth firms.

Amongst the biggest barriers to their sustained growth are lack of access to training, development support, and access to funding. The “Youth Ignite” Project (under the Bank of Industry’s (BOI) Microenterprise Finance Program) seek to address these challenge by supporting 1 million entrepreneurs to create 5 million jobs over the next 5 years.

Microenterprises will be provided training, single-digit interest loans and ongoing support during the course of the 5 years.

Entrepreneurs are required to do the either of following:

• Consider ways people conduct businesses in their state or community and devise a more effective way to achieve better results; or
• Develop a solution to a problem(s) in their community or area of influence; or
• Seek to command [more] business value from a skill they already possess or trade they are involved in.

– Objective

The main objective of the project is to create new jobs through entrepreneurship by supporting 1 million entrepreneurs over the next 5 years to create 5 million jobs.

– Prerequisites for the Program

Who we are looking for: Talented, creative and dedicated young people who have an existing business or idea that they believe in and are committed to bringing to life.

How to apply

• Interested entrepreneurs should visit www.youthignite.ng
• Entries must be submitted online within the specified timeframe and conform to specified guidelines and terms and conditions of participation clearly outlined on this website.
• All entries will be reviewed by the Panel of Judges who consist of carefully selected accomplished professionals from all walks of life.

Click here to Register

Proposed amount for project funding

Entrepreneurs upon meeting the required criteria and judges review would have access to a “loan” value as required by their businesses capped at N200,000.00 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira) to start or grow their businesses. Successful businesses that are able to prove their concept (through the amount of jobs created, revenue generated, etc.) are then able to access the “scale up loan” up to the tune of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500,000)