Stage Africa Media and Advisory, has announced a strategic partnership with the Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) to execute the 2025 MSME Capacity Building program across the South-East, beginning in Abia and Enugu States.
“Our partnership with DBN is driven by a mission to equip entrepreneurs with the knowledge, tools, and digital readiness they need to succeed,” Omotoyosi Ajayi, lead consultant, Stage Africa, said in a statement.
According to her, the partnership underscores a shared commitment to economic development and entrepreneurship in Nigeria, with a sharp focus on supporting Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
She stated that the first phase of the program would focus on attracting and supporting 3,000 eligible MSMEs to complete at least one course on the DBN Learning Management System (LMS).
“This stage is critical, serving as a foundational prerequisite to access subsequent stages of the annual entrepreneurship grant programme,” Ajayi stated.
According to her, MSMEs that perform well on the LMS platform will be shortlisted for in-person training sessions led by industry experts and seasoned entrepreneurs.
“After this, the most promising participants will be invited to a pitch competition, which will provide opportunity to pitch their innovative ideas, engage in peer-mentorship, get their business plans reviewed, and win small grants.
“We’re not just training businesses—we’re preparing them for long-term success in a fast-changing economy,” Ajayi stated.
The LMS is designed to provide high-impact, self-paced learning on key business topics such as accounting and bookkeeping, marketing and sales techniques, sustainability for small businesses, credit management, and access to finance, among others.
According to Ajayi, Stage Africa will work to onboard businesses in rural and urban areas, ensuring inclusion and accessibility, through a combination of grassroots mobilisation, partnerships with trade associations, and community-led outreach.
“MSMEs in Abia and Enugu are strongly encouraged to register immediately and take advantage of this opportunity for growth and visibility. All training stages are completely free”, she added.
