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The World Bank Group and Visa Foundation have launched a new partnership aimed at helping women-led micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) overcome long-standing barriers to growth through improved access to finance, digital tools, business training and stronger financial ecosystems.
The initiative, which will initially be implemented in Nigeria, India, South Africa, Colombia and Mexico, seeks to strengthen the capacity of women entrepreneurs by working with financial institutions, governments, microfinance organisations and non-profit groups to develop solutions tailored to their unique business needs.
The programme comes at a time when MSMEs remain the backbone of many economies, accounting for the majority of businesses and a significant share of employment worldwide. In developing countries, they are critical drivers of job creation, innovation and poverty reduction.
Despite their importance, women-owned businesses continue to face greater challenges than their male counterparts. According to the World Bank, many women entrepreneurs struggle to secure affordable financing, access digital financial services, obtain business development support or build the capacity needed to scale their enterprises.
These challenges have contributed to a persistent global financing gap for women-led businesses, limiting their ability to invest in equipment, hire employees, adopt new technologies and expand into new markets.
Through the partnership, the World Bank Group and Visa Foundation aim to address these obstacles by supporting policies and financial products that make it easier for women-owned businesses to access capital. The initiative will also promote digital financial inclusion, strengthen entrepreneurship training programmes and encourage the development of more inclusive financial ecosystems.
The programme will engage local banks, microfinance institutions, fintech companies, government agencies and civil society organisations to design and implement solutions that reflect the realities of women entrepreneurs in each participating country.
For Nigeria, the initiative could provide additional support for thousands of women-owned MSMEs that continue to face funding constraints despite accounting for a significant share of the country’s entrepreneurial activity. Improved access to finance and digital tools is expected to enhance productivity, create jobs and strengthen the resilience of small businesses.
The World Bank noted that empowering women entrepreneurs is essential for achieving inclusive economic growth. Expanding opportunities for women-led businesses not only improves household incomes but also contributes to broader economic development by increasing productivity, employment and innovation.
Abia Backs Africa Innovation Foundry to Train 150,000 Tech Talents, Incubate 3,000 Startups
NBS, NigComsat Train Installers in Ibadan
Business
Abia Backs Africa Innovation Foundry to Train 150,000 Tech Talents, Incubate 3,000 Startups
The Abia State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to building a technology-driven economy as it hosted the Southeast Regional Activation of the Africa Innovation Foundry (AIF), a nationwide initiative that aims to train 150,000 tech talents and incubate 3,000 startups across Nigeria over the next three years.
The regional activation, held at the Education Conference Hall of the Abia State Secretariat Complex in Umuahia, brought together government officials, technology stakeholders, entrepreneurs, innovators and development partners to discuss strategies for accelerating digital innovation and entrepreneurship in the Southeast.
Delivering the welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of the Abia State Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, Engr. Mrs. Oluchi Eboh, described the programme as a significant milestone in positioning the Southeast as a centre for innovation and digital entrepreneurship.
She said the initiative aligns with Governor Alex Otti’s vision of transforming Abia into a technology-driven economy through sustained investments in digital infrastructure, entrepreneurship and human capital development.
According to Eboh, the state has already laid a strong foundation for innovation through the implementation of the Abia Startup Law, the establishment of the ₦2 billion Abia Startup Support Fund and strategic partnerships with tertiary institutions to equip young people with in-demand digital skills.
“We are not merely hosting a programme; we are opening a new chapter in innovation and digital transformation across Nigeria,” she said.
She urged public and private sector stakeholders to deepen collaboration, noting that partnerships would be essential in building a sustainable innovation ecosystem capable of creating jobs and supporting technology-driven enterprises.
“Collaboration is our greatest tool. Abia State is inviting you to join us in building a sustainable, tech-enabled future for our region and our nation,” Eboh added.
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation, Engr. David Kalu, said the Africa Innovation Foundry is designed to strengthen human capital development while positioning the Southeast as a leading destination for innovation, digital entrepreneurship and startup growth.
He described the initiative as more than a training programme, saying it represents a coordinated effort to unlock the continent’s innovation potential.
“We are not just launching a programme; we are igniting a multi-regional engine designed to accelerate the future of an entire continent,” Kalu said.
He highlighted the state’s efforts to create an enabling environment for startups, noting that Abia became the first state in the Southeast to domesticate the Nigerian Startup Act through the enactment of the Abia Startup Law.
According to him, the law provides a comprehensive framework to support innovation through the ₦2 billion Abia Startup Support Fund, the establishment of a Startup Administration Board, tax incentives, intellectual property protection and stronger partnerships with universities and other higher institutions to develop digital talent.
Kalu also disclosed that the state government is investing in technology parks and innovation clusters while leveraging Aba’s established manufacturing, fashion and leather industries to drive digital transformation and attract technology-based investments.
Also speaking, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Digital Economy, Mrs. Elizabeth Chijioke, said the Southeast has always been recognised for its entrepreneurial spirit and innovative culture, adding that technology provides an opportunity to expand those strengths and compete globally.
“Our people have always created value from limited reength with technology, research, investment and access to larger markets,” she said
The Africa Innovation Foundry is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s digital innovation ecosystem by developing a pipeline of skilled technology professionals, supporting startup creation and attracting investments that can accelerate economic growth, job creation and digital transformation across participating regions.
Business
NBS, NigComsat Train Installers in Ibadan
More than 50 skilled technicians from states across Nigeria’s South-West gathered in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Friday for a technical and sensitization training program aimed at preparing set-top box installers and reception equipment technicians for the country’s digital television transition.
The training, organised by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) in collaboration with the Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT), is part of efforts to ensure a seamless, efficient and error-free implementation of Nigeria’s digital broadcasting migration.
Nigeria’s transition to digital terrestrial television has been underway for nearly two decades. The country adopted the digital switchover policy in 2008 following the International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU) 2006 directive, which required member states to complete the transition by June 2015.
However, the process suffered repeated delays due to funding shortages, policy inconsistencies, infrastructure limitations and logistical challenges. Although pilot projects were launched in Plateau, Lagos, Kano, Enugu, Kwara, Osun, Kaduna and the Federal Capital Territory, nationwide implementation remained out of reach.
Following more than N60 billion in public investment with limited progress, the Federal Government introduced a renewed strategy known as The Big Picture on June 17, 2026, setting December 31, 2028, as the deadline for the complete switch-off of analogue broadcasting.
The new strategy adopts a hybrid broadcasting model that combines Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT), Direct-to-Home (DTH) satellite broadcasting through NIGCOMSAT-1R and Internet Protocol (IP)-based content distribution.
Speaking at the training, the Head of the Digital Switchover (DSO) Unit and Deputy Director of Public Affairs at the NBC, Mrs Clementine Usman-Wamba, described the Ibadan programme as the first in a series of technical training sessions to be held across the country’s geopolitical zones.
She said participants are being trained in satellite dish alignment for DTH services, terrestrial antenna optimisation for DTT reception and the installation and configuration of hybrid reception devices to support the new broadcasting ecosystem.
According to her, the training is critical to reducing installation errors, minimising service interruptions and ensuring households, particularly in rural and underserved communities, can access reliable, high-quality digital television services.
The government’s FreeTV platform, powered by the open-standard DVB-S2 satellite technology, is expected to provide up to 100 free-to-air high-definition television channels to an estimated 40 million households across Nigeria.
For terrestrial broadcasting, Nigeria has adopted the advanced DVB-T2 transmission standard with MPEG-4 AVC compression, enabling broadcasters to transmit up to 20 television channels on a single frequency, significantly improving spectrum efficiency over previous systems.
Business
Foundation Expands 100 Million Learners Initiative to Equip Nigeria’s Youth for Future Economy
Tomorrow Foundation, the non-profit organization empowering the next generation of leaders and innovators across Africa and the Middle East, has signed a new three-year partnership with Thunderbird School of Global Management and Arizona State University to deliver the100 Million Learners Initiativein Nigeria.
The initiative equips the country’s young generation with the entrepreneurial, leadership, and future-ready capabilities needed to thrive in an increasingly AI-driven economy.
Built on the globally recognized curriculum developed by Thunderbird School of Global Management and Arizona State University, 100 Million Learners is designed for university graduates, startup founders, women, young professionals, and individuals seeking to build next-generation skills or advance their careers. The program provides access to online, self-paced learning in up to 40 languages at no cost through three structured pathways:
- Foundational Pathway: Two introductory course options to learn core entrepreneurship and business concepts in either 10 or 30 hours.
- Intermediate Pathway: Five structured courses, each approximately 130 hours, that deepen foundational entrepreneurship and leadership skills while introducing learners to academic-grade coursework.
- Advanced Pathway: Five graduate-level courses, each approximately 130 hours, aimed at those who are seeking leadership, management, and strategic capabilities and/or want to earn academic credit toward a master’s degree.
100 Million Learners is also a key pillar of Tomorrow Foundation’s AI for All initiative, which seeks to prepare individuals and communities to thrive in an AI-enabled future by expanding access to learning and opportunity.
With 70% of the Nigerian population under 30 and 3.5 million young people entering the workforce annually, Nigeria is well positioned to play a defining role in preparing the workforce for an AI-driven economy. Yet significant gaps in access to digital skills continue to limit opportunities for many young people, an increasingly urgent challenge as artificial intelligence accelerates the transformation of industries and labour markets.
“100 Million Learners reflects Tomorrow Foundation’s mission to build future-ready societies through education, entrepreneurship, digital inclusion, and human capability development,” said Maggie Gu, Founder of Tomorrow Foundation. “Together with our partners, we are ensuring that Nigeria’s youth do not just gain access to the future economy, but have the competency and confidence to help shape it.”
As part of this renewed partnership, Tomorrow Foundation will also lead learner recruitment and mobilisation while building strategic partnerships across local government agencies, universities, and youth organisations to broaden reach and deepen impact, particularly within underserved communities. Beyond learning, the foundation will connect participants of 100 Million Learners to further opportunities across its own entrepreneurship programmes, creating routes for continued growth and enterprise development.
“We are proud to deepen our partnership with Tomorrow Foundation to expand access to world-class entrepreneurship and leadership education for learners across Nigeria,” said Samantha Alvis, Executive Director of 100 Million Learners. “As digital transformation reshapes the global economy, learners need entrepreneurial, leadership, and future-ready skills to thrive. Through the 100 Million Learners Initiative, we are focused on providing access to meaningful educational opportunities that will help strengthen communities and support Nigeria’s long-term economic growth. Together with Tomorrow Foundation, we are committed to ensuring this opportunity reaches learners from all backgrounds, especially those who have historically faced barriers to high-quality education.”
Since becoming a strategic ecosystem partner for the programme, Tomorrow Foundation has advanced awareness, stakeholder engagement, and learner outreach across multiple African countries, including an ongoing partnership with the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI).
Tomorrow Foundation will continue working with partners across Nigeria to expand access to world-class learning, helping build the talent, human capability, and entrepreneurial capacity needed to support the country’s long-term growth in the age of artificial intelligence.
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