About this opportunity
fApplications are now open for Cohort 2 of the DBN Academy Entrepreneurship Training Programme 2026 , a flagship capacity-building initiative by the Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) designed to equip Nigerian MSMEs with practical business skills, financial management knowledge, and access-to-finance readiness. Delivered through the DBN Academy (BizAid) learning platform, the programme combines free self-paced online courses with in-person workshops and a business pitch competition , giving top-performing entrepreneurs the opportunity to access grant funding and expert business support.
Benefits and support
Successful participants will receive: Free access to self-paced entrepreneurship courses Practical business management and financial literacy training Digital certificates upon successful course completion Opportunity to attend exclusive in-person workshops Mentorship from experienced business experts Business plan refinement and investor-readiness support Opportunity to pitch for grant funding Access to the DBN entrepreneur network.
Eligibility
The programme is open to: Nigerian entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across all sectors To qualify for the in-person workshops and pitch competition , applicants must: Own a business registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) or a recognized State Cooperative Have operated the business for at least two years Have basic digital skills and internet access Complete the required online courses and assessments.
Programme Structure
Phase 1: Online Learning Participants will complete 11 self-paced courses on the DBN Academy platform. The four mandatory courses are: Accounting & Bookkeeping Marketing & Sales Techniques Sustainability for Small Businesses Credit Management & Access to Finance Participants must achieve a minimum 80% score in each mandatory course to qualify for the next stage.
Phase 2: In-Person Workshop Top-performing participants will be invited to regional workshops where they will receive: Advanced business training Mentorship Business plan refinement Investor-readiness coaching Networking opportunities. Phase 3: Pitch Competition Outstanding participants from the workshops will pitch their businesses for an opportunity to receive grant funding to support business growth and sustainability.
Why This Matters Many Nigerian MSMEs struggle with business management, financial planning, and access to finance. The DBN Academy Entrepreneurship Training Programme helps bridge these gaps by providing free, high-quality entrepreneurship education, practical mentoring, and opportunities to compete for grant funding, making businesses more investment-ready and sustainable.
Application timeline
The DBN Academy learning platform remains open throughout the year . However, entrepreneurs wishing to participate in Cohort 2 should complete the required mandatory courses before the stipulated Cohort 2
Application timeline
to be considered for the November 2026 in-person workshops and pitch competition.
Application steps
Interested entrepreneurs can register and begin the free online courses through the official DBN Academy portal: https://learning. devbankng.
com/
Sources and verification
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