This transformative initiative is set to empower 350 women entrepreneurs who would be selected from across Nigeria, providing them with essential skills to foster the growth and expansion of their enterprises over a comprehensive six-week training period.

Application for GAIN Entrepreneurship Masterclass for Women (Nigeria)’ opens on September 6, 2024. The program will include training and mentorship sessions which will be held virtually.

In a joint statement released by DBN and GAIN, it was highlighted that the Women’s Masterclass has been meticulously designed to address the unique challenges faced by female entrepreneurs in Nigeria.

The program will offer targeted support in areas such as financial literacy, strategic marketing, business modeling, legal aspects of business, structure and processes, customer management, business branding and so much more, enabling participants to fully capitalize on the opportunities available in Nigeria’s growing economy.

 “At DBN, we believe that women entrepreneurs are crucial to the sustainable development of Nigeria’s economy. Our partnership with GAIN reaffirms our commitment to supporting women-led MSMEs by providing them with the necessary tools, knowledge, and financial empowerment to thrive. By addressing the specific challenges women face in business, we are creating a more inclusive and resilient entrepreneurial ecosystem. Through initiatives like this, we aim to close the gender gap in entrepreneurship, ensuring women entrepreneurs have equal access to resources, training, and financing” said Dr. Tony Okpanachi, managing director/CEO of Development Bank of Nigeria.

Janet Oladapo, the Programme Officer for GAIN commented on the continued collaboration with DBN, “We are excited for the impact that this holds as we have seen remarkable success in the previous 4 editions of our entrepreneurial masterclasses, and we are happy to extend this opportunity to more women entrepreneurs in 2024.

This Masterclass not only offers participants high-quality training; it also provides them with opportunities to network, receive guidance from seasoned global mentors, and acquire the comprehensive knowledge needed to drive substantial growth in their businesses.”

The Entrepreneurship Masterclass aligns with the broader missions of both GAIN and DBN. Both partners remain committed to empowering African youths and women by providing them with skills and resources necessary to drive sustainable economic development across the continent.

DBN, on the other hand, continues to support Nigeria’s micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by alleviating financing constraints and creating an enabling environment for their growth.

How to APPLY:

Applicants can apply online via the link HERE.

The DBN Techpreneur Summit 2024 seeks to promote and showcase investor-ready technology innovations within Nigeria’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, while providing access to a pipeline of investors and subsequently funding to qualified techprenuers.

The theme for the DBN Techpreneur Summit 2024 is, ‘Catalyzing Tech Innovation: Empowering Entrepreneurs for Regenerative Growth.’

There were over 100 tech companies on the longlist of entries received for the pitch at the expiration of the timeline for submission of ideas.

Over the weekend, a panel of evaluators consisting of respected industry leaders held the pre-selection session to assess each submitted entry in line with the criteria and guidelines set for the participating innovators.

At the end of the pre-screening, a total of 20 tech innovators drawn from across fintech, health tech, transport, IOT and other segments scaled the hurdles to the final pitch stage.

Commenting on the significance of the pre-selection process, Managing Director/CEO, Development Bank of Nigeria, Dr. Tony Okpanachi, said it was a very important stage to narrow the space for the best among equals to be determined, adding that it was also a cost and time-saving mechanism for both the innovators and evaluators.

He said pre-selection is an opportunity for innovators to enhance their chances of success in the pitch competition.

Dr. Okpanachi stated further:

“Pre-selection of innovators provides feedback on the viability and potential of the innovation, and enhances the innovator’s pitch and overall chances. It boosts confidence for the competing teams. Streamlining the selection process also reduces stress and anxiety for innovators that make the shortlist, thereby helping them to focus on the best ways to achieve success at the pitch and in their presentation.’’

The DBN chief affirmed that by supporting MSMEs and tech innovators to grow and scale up, the Development Bank of Nigeria plays a pivotal role in unlocking the potential of micro and medium enterprises, as well as the tech industry in Nigeria and empowering them to contribute significantly to the real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth.

The Bank, he noted, also contributes significantly by driving inclusive economic growth and improved quality of lives for Nigerians.

Affirming the importance of the screening session, Managing Director of Addium Capital, Mrs. Comfort Aruosa-Osemwegie, stated that it was aimed at making the tech founders ready for potential investors, who will also be attending this year’s Techpreneur Summit.

She disclosed that through a partnership between DBN and Addium, a private equity and venture capital firm, an exclusive Deal Room will hold within the summit and it will serve as a platform for techpreneurs to meet with potential investors directly.

“On the 10^th of July, tech founders will have access to at least 50 curated investors during the summit. We are curating the summit in unique ways whereby the tech startups can sit with prospective investors that are coming to the event. This was the reason we had the pre-screening on 29^th of June. We had hundreds of startup founders pre-screened. The idea is, we wanted to ensure they are investors-ready; so, when we bring them to investors on the 10^th of July, we are bringing in deals. We call them deals or startups that actually are ready for investment. We took the proposals through screening to ensure we pick or get to find the best fit for the investors we are bringing in,’’ Aruosa-Osemwegie said.

Aruosa-Osemwegie added that the partnership with Development Bank of Nigeria was also designed to position Techpreneur Summit as the “go-to’’ event for investor engagement and closing deals.

She enthused:

“We want to see a situation when you think fundraising and meeting with investors, cutting the time of deal sourcing, origination and closure, Techpreneur Summit is the place to go, both for Nigerian investors and foreign investors, as well as techpreneurs across Africa. I am seeing a situation where it becomes like a tourist attraction, the main deals arena for techpreneurs. When you want to meet with investors in Africa, come to DBN Techpreneur Summit.’’

This year’s theme, “Land Restoration, Desertification, and Drought Resilience,” guided DBN’s comprehensive initiatives aimed at addressing critical environmental challenges.

The World Environment Day, celebrated annually every June 5, is a global platform established by the United Nations to raise awareness and promote actions for the protection of our environment.

In a demonstration of environmental stewardship and corporate social responsibility, DBN’s team engaged in a collaborative effort to plant trees in two strategic locations – the Lekki Conservation Centre in Lagos and Kpeygi Community in Abuja.

Through this impactful gesture, the bank reinforces its commitment to environmental conservation and sustainable development.

Speaking during the planting ceremony, Managing Director/CEO, Development Bank of Nigeria, Dr. Tony Okpanachi emphasized the importance of reforestation in combating desertification and promoting biodiversity.

He said:

“Land restoration is crucial for maintaining ecological balance and combating the adverse effects of desertification. By planting trees, we are not only restoring the land but also ensuring a sustainable environment for future generations.”

“So we are thrilled to celebrate this World Environment Day by engaging in this meaningful tree planting initiative, because at DBN, we are driven by the believe that environmental sustainability is a shared responsibility, and through initiatives like this, we are consciously contributing to the mitigation of climate change, improving air quality, and enhancing biodiversity in our communities”.

Speaking further, Dr. Okpanachi noted that “As the world grapples with pressing environmental challenges, this tree planting initiative will serve as a shining example of corporate leadership and sustainable action. By harnessing the collective power of our employees and partners, we have proven that when it comes to protecting the environment, every action – no matter how small, counts.”

He stated that:

“The tree planting drive underscores the bank’s broader sustainability efforts, including the integration of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles into its business operations. By prioritizing sustainability, DBN seeks to align its activities with global best practices and contribute to the green transition in Nigeria’s economic landscape.”

In his remarks, Dr. Joseph Onoja, the director-general, Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF),  represented by Uchenna Achunine, the organization’s director of Business Development and Communications,  commended the management of DBN for launching such audacious initiative aimed at promoting a greener and sustainable environment in Nigeria.

“We are happy that DBN understands the role and importance of fostering a culture of environmental responsibility within its organization. This tree planting project is an act of sowing the seeds for a more resilient, green future that benefits both people and the planet.”

“I want to express my profound gratitude to the management and staff of DBN for prioritizing sustainability by taking on this bold initiative. Permit me to use this medium to appeal to other organizations to borrow a leaf from what DBN has done, by contributing their own quota in preserving and conserving our environment.”

According to him” There is a very strong nexus between tree planting and climate change. When you plant trees, you will have greener environments, and that will lead to a healthier planet free from carbon monoxide which is poisonous to the human body”.

In its previous contributions towards a sustainable environment, the Development Bank of Nigeria initiated various projects to commemorate the World Environment Day, such as the donation of receptacles to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Lagos, Kano and Rivers states for the collection of recyclable waste.

The launch of Green Clubs in selected schools in Lagos and Abuja and the planting of carpet grass, trees, and landscape designs in some selected schools are also some of the initiatives of the DBN towards the protection of the environment.

In the same vein, staff of DBN visit select schools across the country to interact with and provide training to students on recycling and other responsible behaviours toward the environment – all in a bid to nurturing and protecting the planet.