The MTN Foundation has partnered with UN Women to strengthen the economic participation of rural women in Nigeria. This collaboration aims to expand their access to business opportunities across the country. The partnership was announced during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Friday in Lagos.
Under this initiative, 200 rural female entrepreneurs in Kano and Cross River states will receive support. The program focuses on skills development, financial inclusion, market access, and establishing processing hubs. This joint effort highlights the importance of integrating rural women into Nigeria’s growing digital economy.
Expanding Opportunities for Rural Women
The partnership will be implemented through the MTN Foundation’s Y’elloPreneur initiative. This program seeks to address challenges that limit the growth of female-owned businesses, such as inadequate access to training, funding, and markets. Dr. Odunayo Sanya, Executive Director of the MTN Foundation, noted that women currently represent 43.7 percent of the foundation’s beneficiaries. This reflects its ongoing efforts to promote gender inclusion through various programs.
The foundation has previously supported 122 women entrepreneurs with N304 million. The broader Y’elloPreneur initiative has also built the capacity of more than 6,000 female entrepreneurs. This new phase expands on those efforts, aiming to further empower women in key economic sectors.
Focus on Digital and Agricultural Growth
Beatrice Eyong, UN Women Country Representative, stated that the partnership will help rural women leverage digital opportunities. It will also enable them to participate more actively in Nigeria’s digital economy. She stressed that limited digital access continues to exclude rural women from emerging economic opportunities. Many Nigerian women entrepreneurs continue to face persistent finance gaps.
Kano and Cross River states were chosen for the program due to their strong agricultural activities, particularly in rice and cassava production. The initiative expects to help women in these sectors improve value addition, productivity, and livelihoods. Such new funding programs are critical for closing capital disparities.
Training and Future Goals
The new beneficiaries will undergo entrepreneurship training at the Enterprise Development Centre. Following this training, they will develop business proposals. They will also gain opportunities to access funding for viable businesses. This structured approach aims to equip them with practical skills and financial literacy.
The MTN Foundation has a broader goal to achieve 50 percent male and 50 percent female participation in the Y’elloPreneur initiative by 2030. This partnership with UN Women is a step towards that objective. It underscores a commitment to equitable economic development and support for women in business. The initiative ultimately aims to help rural women build sustainable businesses and contribute more actively to Nigeria’s economy.
Frequently asked questions
What is the new partnership for rural women entrepreneurs?
The MTN Foundation and UN Women have partnered to strengthen the economic participation of 200 rural female entrepreneurs in Nigeria, focusing on skills and financial inclusion.
How many women will the initiative support?
The initiative is designed to support 200 rural female entrepreneurs across Kano and Cross River states in Nigeria with various business development resources.
Which Nigerian states are included in the program?
The program will specifically target and provide support to rural female entrepreneurs located in Kano and Cross River states, chosen for their agricultural activities.
What kind of support will the entrepreneurs receive?
Entrepreneurs will receive support through skills development, financial inclusion, market access, and the establishment of processing hubs.
What is the MTN Foundation's Y’elloPreneur initiative?
The Y’elloPreneur initiative is an MTN Foundation program that aims to address growth challenges for female-owned businesses, including lack of training, funding, and market access.
