Digital Entrepreneurship Training and Business Support Programme for Women in Northern Nigeria

The Digital Entreneurship Training and Business Support Programme for Women and Girls in Northern Nigeria is a new opportunity for young women in Kano and Bauchi who want to build or improve a business using digital tools. The programme is being implemented by the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) and combines entrepreneurship training with practical digital skills and business support. Applications are currently open, with the deadline reported as September 28, 2026.

What Is the Programme About?

Running a small business today often involves much more than having a good product. Entrepreneurs need to know how to reach customers online, present their products properly, manage business information and use digital tools to make everyday work easier.

This programme is designed to help women and girls in Northern Nigeria build those skills.

Rather than being a conventional grant competition, the opportunity focuses on training and business development. Participants will learn how to use digital tools while also developing the entrepreneurial skills needed to start, manage or grow a business.

The programme is particularly relevant to women who already have a business idea or are running a small business but need better digital knowledge to move forward.

Who Can Apply?

The programme is specifically for women and girls living in Kano or Bauchi State.

The published eligibility requirements indicate that applicants should:

• Be female and live in Kano or Bauchi.
• Be between 18 and 35 years old.
• Have basic digital literacy.
• Have access to a smartphone or computer.
• Have an existing business or viable business idea.
• Be able to complete the training.
• Be committed to developing their business. (LinkedIn)

This means you do not necessarily need to already have a large company. Someone with a promising business idea can also be considered, provided she meets the other requirements.

What Will Participants Gain?

The programme combines digital entrepreneurship training and business support, so participants should expect practical learning rather than simply receiving a certificate.

The support can help participants improve areas such as:

• Digital entrepreneurship.
• Using technology in business.
• Building and developing a business idea.
• Reaching customers through digital channels.
• Improving business operations.
• Understanding how to grow a small business.
• Developing the confidence to participate in the digital economy.

For a woman who is already selling products or services, the training could be particularly useful for understanding how to move more of her business activities online.

There is also an important distinction to keep in mind. This is not being advertised as a cash grant programme. The main opportunity is the training and business support.

Why Women in Kano and Bauchi Should Pay Attention

Many entrepreneurship programmes in Nigeria are concentrated around Lagos and a few other major commercial centres. This programme takes a more local approach by specifically targeting women and girls in Northern Nigeria, with eligibility limited to Kano and Bauchi.

That makes it relevant to women who may not normally have access to entrepreneurship programmes based in Lagos or Abuja.

It also means applicants should not treat the programme as a general Nigeria-wide opportunity. If you live outside Kano or Bauchi, you are unlikely to meet the location requirement.

Deadline and Application Process

The reported application deadline is:

September 28, 2026

Applicants should complete the online application and provide the information requested by the organisers.

Application information: CITAD Digital Entrepreneurship Training and Business Support Programme

The programme is being implemented by CITAD, so applicants should also verify the latest instructions from CITAD before submitting their application.

For women aged 18 to 35 in Kano and Bauchi who have a business idea or an existing small business, the Digital Entrepreneurship Training and Business Support Programme for Women and Girls in Northern Nigeria offers a practical way to improve digital and entrepreneurial skills without having to pay for the training.

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