FATE Foundation, an NGO, have partnered with Facebook to support 360 Nigerian entrepreneurs under the 2020 Aspiring Entrepreneurs Digital Programme (AEP Digital).
The foundation’s Executive Director, Adenike Adeyemi, said during a webinar monitored from Abuja on Thursday that the beneficiaries would be drawn from 11 states across Nigeria.
The states include Lagos, Rivers, Cross River, Kwara, Edo, Ogun, Abia, Enugu, Kano, Plateau and Oyo states.
Adeyemi said that the programme would focus on building resilience and competitive advantage during crisis.
“Key modules will address Business Model Adaptation, Digital Marketing, Customer Engagement, Financial Literacy (Cash flow Management) and Remote Work Management,’’ the executive director said.
She noted that he AEP Digital programme would combine strong enterprise management, digital marketing and financial literacy courses to provide the fundamental knowledge and guidance on building a digital enabled business in Nigeria.
“This year’s program will be fully virtual, free for all selected participants and also provide Data/Internet Support, Ad Credit Giveaways and Growth Support services.
“FATE Foundation and Facebook have recognised the urgent need to provide knowledge and support to Startups across the country to sustain their nascent businesses, generate revenue and create jobs.
“They will take into cognizance the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic which has left nations of the world, including Nigeria with attendant limitations on movements and in-person interactions,” she said.
Phil Odour, Policy Program Manager, Sub-Saharan Africa, Facebook, said that the programme since inception has made enormous contribution by providing support for emerging Nigerian entrepreneurs to grow.
“The AEP Digital has recorded great impact in reaching 640 Nigerian Startups since 2018.
“Since inception, the programme has provided entrepreneurs with relevant knowledge, tools and skills to grow sustainable and digitally enabled businesses and we are looking forward to supporting more entrepreneurs at this critical time.
“ The programme will enable more entrepreneurs around the country have access to best-practices and the entrepreneurial know-how, particularly for businesses in the Nigerian context.
“It will also provide research-driven support for businesses to grow sustainably,’’ she added.
Prospective applicants for the 2020 AEP Digital can visit the FATE Foundation website: www.fatefoundation.org/aep, for more information on and closing dates.
