On 14th August 2026, the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) said they have launched a programme that will support more than 100,000 young Nigerians annually with entrepreneurship funding and training mentorship.
The SMEDAN management referred to the programme as the Building Resilient Young Nigerian Entrepreneurs (BRYNE) project. It was unveiled as part of the agency’s activities to mark International Youth Day 2026.
The theme of the programme stated that it will provide support based on the needs and stages of young entrepreneurs, ranging from business ideas to established enterprises seeking to expand.
The director-general (DG) of SMEDAN Charles Odii, said the programme was approved in collaboration with the Tinubu Government to bring several forms of support together for young Nigerians already running a business.
The initiative will combine enterprise training, incubation, mentorship, access to finance, market opportunities and business development support through physical and digital platforms.
“Across the country, we meet young people with ideas, skills and businesses that can grow, but many still struggle to find the right support at the right time. BRYNE brings several of those opportunities together, from training and incubation to finance, markets and mentorship,” Odii said.
“We want more young Nigerians to have a fair chance to build businesses that can survive, grow and create jobs.”
The programme will operate both physically and online, with SMEDAN planning interventions for entrepreneurs in communities and tertiary institutions as well as digital platforms.
SMEDAN said 600 young entrepreneurs will be taken through its incubation programme each year, with focus areas including fashion, woodwork and agriculture.
The agency added that it will also work with the Federal Ministry of Education to bring enterprise support to tertiary institutions, with the initiative will giving student entrepreneurs access to business workshops, advice, networking and platforms to exhibit their businesses.
According to the agency, participating campuses could have as many as 3,000 beneficiaries.
Through BRYNE Digital Connect, SMEDAN said young business owners will also be able to access entrepreneurship education and opportunities to reach customers and markets beyond their immediate communities.
SMEDAN said another part of the initiative would be a weekly startup hackathon designed to engage 5,000 young entrepreneurs.
About 52 winners are expected to emerge from the hackathons, with each receiving N250,000 in seed funding.
Fawale Bimpe, deputy director and head of SMEDAN’s Women and Youth Unit, said the programme was designed to recognise that young entrepreneurs require different forms of assistance depending on the stage of their businesses.
“Some need help turning an idea into a business. Others already have businesses but need finance, mentorship, better market access or the right information to take the next step,” Fawale said.
“BRYNE is designed to meet young entrepreneurs at those different stages and connect them to practical support.”
SMEDAN added that the initiative will also connect beneficiaries with opportunities for business formalisation, funding, investment, market access, business information and exports.
The agency said the programme is expected to help young Nigerians build sustainable businesses, grow existing enterprises and create employment.
What Applicants and Beneficiaries will Get?
- The BRYNE (Building Resilient Young Nigerian Entrepreneurs) Project targets over 100,000 young entrepreneurs annually through four main tracks:
- Weekly Startup Hackathons & Seed Funding:Participating founders can pitch their business ideas, with **52 winners per year receiving ₦250,000 each in seed funding.
- SMEDAN Incubation Programme (SIP): 600 selected young entrepreneurs annually receive intensive hands-on incubation support across sectors like agriculture, fashion, and woodworking via SMEDAN’s nationwide Industrial Development Centres.
- Campus Enterprise Engagement Platform: Student entrepreneurs across tertiary institutions get access to business workshops, dedicated advisory sessions, networking, and trade exhibitions directly on campus (targeting up to 3,000 students per institution).
- BRYNE Digital Connect (BDC): Access to digital entrepreneurship courses, technical business development resources, and digital marketplace channels to reach a wider customer base.
OTHER SMEDAN PROGRAMMES FOR 2026/2027 IMPLEMENTATION
The specific benefits applicants receive depend on the SMEDAN (Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria) program they apply for, as the agency runs several initiatives targeting Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
1. GROWHer Accelerator Programme
Designed specifically for women-led enterprises scaling up operations:
- Funding & Investment Readiness: Access to capital opportunities and guidance on financial structuring to prepare for external funding.
- Expert Mentorship: One-on-one sessions and peer learning with top industry leaders.
- Business Development Workshops: Intensive practical training focused on growth, scaling, and market expansion strategies.
- Strategic Networking: Direct access to investors, corporate partners, and ecosystem leaders.
2. Presidential Conditional Grant Scheme (PCGS / SMEDAN Grants)
Targeted at micro-enterprises, market traders, artisans, and youth entrepreneurs:
- Direct Micro-Grants: Non-repayable grants (typically ₦50,000 to ₦75,000) intended for inventory, working capital, or equipment purchase.
- Financial Inclusion: Support with formalizing business accounts and gaining access to low-interest micro-loans.
3. General SMEDAN Business Support Programs
For general MSMEs registered within the SMEDAN database:
- Capacity Building: Technical and vocational skill acquisition (e.g., National Business Skills Development Initiative – NBSDI).
- Formal Business Recognition: Unique SMEDAN registration numbers (SUIN) that give priority access to government interventions, tax relief programs, and commercial partnerships.
- Market Access & Workspace Support: Opportunities to participate in national trade fairs, access cluster spaces, and list products on SMEDAN digital platforms.