Blacknest Africa has sustained its drive to empower entrepreneurs in Nigeria through training and grant support, disbursing over N1 million to beneficiaries during its Business Plan Workshops held in Lagos and Jos.
The initiative, aimed at strengthening small businesses and startups, commenced in Lagos in April 2025, where participants underwent intensive training focused on business planning, financial structuring and investment readiness.
The workshop introduced a model that combines entrepreneurial training with access to funding, designed to help participants transform ideas into viable business ventures.
A major highlight of the Lagos programme was a business pitch session where participants presented their ideas before a panel of assessors. At the end of the exercise, one entrepreneur emerged winner and received a grant of N100,000 to support business growth.
The programme later moved to Jos in November 2025, attracting one of the largest gatherings of entrepreneurs for a business development event in Plateau State.
During the Jos edition, three entrepreneurs were awarded grants totalling N1 million after presenting business ideas considered scalable, sustainable and growth-driven.
Across both cities, facilitators addressed major challenges confronting emerging businesses, particularly gaps in planning, financial management and access to capital.
Participants also took part in practical sessions designed to improve their capacity to build, manage and expand profitable enterprises.
Speaking on the initiative, a representative of Blacknest Africa said the organisation remains committed to producing businesses that can survive and grow in a competitive market.
“Our focus is simple. We are not just teaching, we are equipping and funding entrepreneurs to build businesses that can survive and scale,” the representative stated.
Industry observers say the organisation’s model of linking training directly with financial support provides participants with the tools and resources needed to immediately implement what they learn.
Following the success of the Lagos and Jos programmes, Blacknest Africa has announced plans to extend the workshops to other cities across Nigeria.
The organisation also disclosed plans to expand beyond Nigeria to other parts of Africa, with the objective of supporting a wider network of entrepreneurs on the continent.
Analysts note that the initiative reflects the growing demand for structured business education and improved access to funding for startups and small enterprises across Africa.
