Bryne Initiative – SMEDAN Young Entrepreneurs Programme is a new entrepreneurship initiative by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) aimed at reaching more than 100,000 young Nigerians every year with practical business support, training and opportunities for enterprise growth.
Known as the Building Resilient Young Nigerian Entrepreneurs (BRYNE) project, the initiative was introduced by SMEDAN during activities marking International Youth Day 2026. It is designed to support young people at different stages of their entrepreneurial journey, from those with business ideas to entrepreneurs already running businesses and looking to expand.
What is SMEDAN Young Entrepreneurs Programme?
SMEDAN Young Entrepreneurs Programme brings different forms of entrepreneurship support together under one initiative. Rather than offering a single type of assistance, the programme is expected to connect young entrepreneurs with resources that can help them start, strengthen and grow their businesses.
Support under the programme will include:
- Entrepreneurship and business training
- Business incubation
- Mentorship and advisory support
- Access to finance and seed funding opportunities
- Market access
- Business development services
- Business information and education
- Business formalisation opportunities
- Investment and export opportunities
SMEDAN plans to deliver the programme through both physical and digital platforms, making it possible for young entrepreneurs in different locations to access relevant opportunities.
SMEDAN BRYNE Programme for Young Entrepreneurs
The BRYNE project recognises that young business owners do not all have the same needs. Someone developing a business idea may require training and incubation, while an established entrepreneur may need funding, mentorship, new customers or assistance with expansion.
According to SMEDAN, the programme is therefore structured to provide support according to the entrepreneur’s level of development.
The goal is to help more young Nigerians develop viable businesses, strengthen existing enterprises and ultimately create more employment opportunities.
SMEDAN Business Incubation Programme
As part of the initiative, 600 young entrepreneurs are expected to participate in SMEDAN’s incubation programme each year.
The incubation activities will focus on areas including:
- Fashion
- Woodwork
- Agriculture
The programme is intended to help participants develop their entrepreneurial skills and improve their ability to turn business ideas into sustainable enterprises.
Entrepreneurship Support for Students
SMEDAN is also expected to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Education to extend entrepreneurship support to tertiary institutions.
Through this component of the SMEDAN Young Entrepreneurs Programme, student entrepreneurs could gain access to business workshops, guidance, networking opportunities and platforms where they can showcase their products and services.
SMEDAN said participating campuses could have up to 3,000 beneficiaries, creating an opportunity for more students to develop practical business skills while pursuing their education.
BRYNE Digital Connect
Another important part of the initiative is BRYNE Digital Connect, which is designed to provide young business owners with access to entrepreneurship education and opportunities beyond their immediate communities.
Through digital platforms, entrepreneurs will be able to learn more about business development while gaining opportunities to connect with potential customers and wider markets.
This digital approach could be particularly useful for young entrepreneurs who rely on online platforms to promote and sell their products and services.
Weekly Startup Hackathon and ₦250,000 Seed Funding
The BRYNE initiative will also feature a weekly startup hackathon aimed at engaging approximately 5,000 young entrepreneurs.
From these activities, 52 winners are expected to emerge. Each successful winner will receive ₦250,000 in seed funding to support the development or growth of their business.
The hackathon component is expected to encourage young Nigerians to develop innovative business ideas and identify practical solutions to challenges within their communities and industries.
Who Can Benefit From SMEDAN Young Entrepreneurs Programme?
SMEDAN Young Entrepreneurs Programme is designed to accommodate young people at different stages of entrepreneurship.
Potential beneficiaries may include:
- Young Nigerians with promising business ideas
- Aspiring entrepreneurs preparing to start a business
- Student entrepreneurs
- Startups seeking incubation and mentorship
- Existing small business owners
- Young entrepreneurs looking for funding
- Business owners seeking new markets and customers
- Entrepreneurs interested in business formalisation
- Young businesses looking for opportunities to expand
The focus is on connecting entrepreneurs with the type of support that matches their current business needs.
Funding, Markets and Business Development Support
Beyond training, the programme is expected to connect participants with opportunities related to business funding, investment, market access and business development.
Beneficiaries may also gain access to information about business formalisation and export opportunities, helping entrepreneurs understand how to move from small-scale operations toward more structured and sustainable businesses.
For young business owners, access to the right information and networks can be just as important as financial support. The programme therefore combines several forms of assistance rather than focusing solely on funding.
Why SMEDAN Young Entrepreneurs Programme Matters
Many young Nigerians have business ideas, technical skills or existing businesses but may struggle to access the right resources at the right stage of their journey.
SMEDAN Young Entrepreneurs Programme seeks to address this gap by bringing together entrepreneurship training, incubation, mentorship, finance, market opportunities and business development support.
SMEDAN Director-General Charles Odii said the initiative is intended to give more young Nigerians an opportunity to build businesses capable of surviving, expanding and creating jobs.
The agency’s Women and Youth Unit also noted that entrepreneurs require different forms of assistance depending on whether they are developing an idea, starting a business or trying to expand an established enterprise.
SMEDAN Young Entrepreneurs Programme 2026/2027: What Applicants Should Know
The SMEDAN Young Entrepreneurs Programme 2026 is expected to use both online and physical channels to reach young entrepreneurs across Nigeria.
Interested young Nigerians should watch for official announcements from SMEDAN concerning application dates, eligibility requirements, registration procedures, beneficiary selection and programme locations.
Applicants should also be cautious of unofficial websites or individuals requesting payment in exchange for guaranteed selection. Information about registration and participation should be verified through official SMEDAN communication channels.
Expected Benefits of SMEDAN Young Entrepreneurs Programme
The initiative is expected to contribute to youth entrepreneurship development in Nigeria by helping participants:
- Improve their business and entrepreneurial skills
- Develop viable business ideas
- Access mentorship and incubation
- Connect with potential customers and markets
- Learn about business funding opportunities
- Strengthen existing businesses
- Explore investment and export opportunities
- Formalise their businesses
- Build sustainable enterprises
- Create employment opportunities
How To Prepare/Apply for SMEDAN Young Entrepreneurs Programme
Current Status – Because SMEDAN Young Entrepreneurs Programme was unveiled just recently SMEDAN has not yet disclosed open application links, deadlines, eligibility forms, or a specific BRYNE portal on its main site.
Recommended Next Steps:
- Regularly check the official SMEDAN website: https://smedan.gov.ng/ (and its “Our Programs” or news/resources sections) for announcements.
- Follow and monitor SMEDAN’s official X/Twitter account (@SMEDANGov) and other verified social channels for updates, registration links, or calls for applications.
- Register/verify your business (or idea) on SMEDAN’s existing portals if you have not already (example, https://portal.smedan.gov.ng or related MSME registration platforms). Many SMEDAN programmes prioritise or require registered participants.
- Avoid Scams: Legitimate Government Grants, Fellowships, Scholarships do not request for Upfront Payments – What You Need to
Closing Remarks
SMEDAN Young Entrepreneurs Programme represents a broad entrepreneurship support initiative designed to help young Nigerians at different stages of business development. Through BRYNE, SMEDAN plans to combine training, incubation, mentorship, funding opportunities, market access and digital business support.
With a target of more than 100,000 young Nigerians annually, alongside specific initiatives such as the incubation programme, tertiary institution support, BRYNE Digital Connect and the startup hackathons, the programme could provide valuable opportunities for aspiring and existing young entrepreneurs across Nigeria.
Young Nigerians interested in entrepreneurship should follow official SMEDAN updates for verified information about the SMEDAN Young Entrepreneurs Programme 2026, including eligibility, registration and application details.