Are you a Nigerian entrepreneur or NGO, or do you have a project that could change your community? Grants can turn your ideas into reality! This post breaks down eight (8) must-know grants in Nigeria and offers step-by-step guidance on how to apply.
What Is A Grant?
Grants unlock funding for Nigerian businesses, projects, and change-makers. Simply put, they're money (or resources) given to achieve a specific goal - and you don't have to pay them back!
Key features of a grant are:
Source of Funds: Grants typically come from institutions rather than just individuals.
Purpose-Driven: Grants are not general gifts but are awarded for a defined project or goal.
No Repayment: Unlike loans, grants do not need to be paid back.
Could be More Than Money: While grants mainly focus on money, sometimes equipment, services, or other tangible benefits might be offered.
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8 Must-Know Grants in Nigeria: Your Guide to Getting Funded
Here, we've highlighted grants in the following categories: entrepreneurship, social development, and government-backed grants. Here they are:
The Bet9ja Foundation Grant
African Women Development Fund (AWDF)
Ambassador's Special Self-Help Program
Strategic Opportunity Fund in Nigeria
The Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Program (TEEP)
African Business Heroes (ABH)
Lagos State Entrepreneurs Trust Fund (LSETF)
Presidential Conditional Grant Scheme (PCGS)
Social Development Grants In Nigeria
1. The Bet9ja Foundation Grant:
First on our list is the bet9ja Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Bet9ja company. The organisation focuses its grant funding on projects and initiatives that contribute to these core areas:
Community Development: Infrastructure projects like clean water, sanitation, community centres, etc.
Youth Empowerment: Supporting education, training, entrepreneurship, and leadership development programs for young Nigerians.
How to Apply for a Bet9ja Foundation Grant
Website: Go to the Bet9ja Foundation website and click the "Apply for Grant" button.
Registration: Create an account, registering either as an "AGENT" or an "NGO, depending on your organisation's nature.
Account Dashboard: Look for the "Apply for Grants" or "New Grant Application" section once logged in.
Grant Categories: Carefully select the category that best reflects your project's focus (community development or youth empowerment).
Application Form: Provide detailed information about your project, including:
A clear description of what you aim to achieve
Specific goals and intended outcomes
A detailed budget outlining how the grant money would be used
Submission: When confident your application is strong, hit "Submit."
Tips for a Successful Application:
Strong Alignment: Ensure your project addresses the foundation's stated priorities.
Impact Driven: Focus on explaining how your project will produce tangible benefits for community development or young people's empowerment.
Measurable Goals: Don't just tell them what you'll do. Explain how you will know (and prove) whether your project was successful.
2. African Women Development Fund (AWDF):
The African Women Development Fund (AWDF) is a leading pan-African grantmaking foundation dedicated to supporting impactful work on women's rights and gender equality. AWDF recognises empowering women and girls is critical to African communities' social and economic development.
AWDF welcomes applications from women-led organisations and initiatives in various thematic areas, including economic empowerment, leadership and participation, women's health and rights, and many others. Grant sizes vary, and projects that can demonstrate sustainable impact are prioritised.
One of AWDF's major strengths is its reputation as a trusted, effective supporter of women's rights movements in Africa. Beyond simply providing funding, AWDF also offers capacity-building resources, facilitates networking, and actively fosters a vibrant pan-African network focused on gender equality.
How to Apply:
Website: Thoroughly explore the AWDF website to understand their grantmaking priorities and processes.
Align Your Project: Ensure your organisation's work aligns with AWDF's mission and focus areas.
Call for Proposals: Monitor their website for open calls for proposals. These generally detail how to apply and the specific requirements.
Application: Prepare a strong application showcasing your organisation's expertise and the potential impact of your proposed project.
3. Ambassador's Special Self-Help Program:
The U.S. Embassy's Ambassador's Special Self-Help Program (ASSH) is a valuable resource for grassroots organisations in Nigeria seeking to make a tangible impact in their communities. This program offers small grants to support projects addressing various development needs.
ASSH is designed to empower local actors, including NGOs, community groups, and other non-profits, with innovative solutions to local challenges. Projects can cover education, healthcare, economic empowerment, environmental protection, etc. Grants are generally modest, often around $10,000, making them accessible for smaller-scale initiatives.
One of the strengths of the ASSH program is its focus on community-driven solutions. It supports projects identified and designed by local groups that best understand their communities' needs.
How to Apply:
Embassy Website: Keep an eye on the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria's website for announcements about open calls for proposals.
Project Alignment: Ensure your project aligns with local needs and U.S. priorities in Nigeria as outlined in the proposal call.
Application Materials: Follow the guidelines carefully, and provide a compelling explanation of your project, impact, and how you will measure success.
4. Strategic Opportunity Fund in Nigeria:
The Strategic Opportunities Fund in Nigeria is a specialised granting mechanism to support women's rights organisations in tackling urgent issues and unexpected challenges. This fund recognises that the struggle for gender equality often requires a swift response to evolving situations.
The types of projects funded can vary depending on emerging needs within the women's rights movement. Projects might include:
Advocacy campaigns addressing a sudden policy change.
Interventions to protect women and girls during a crisis.
Initiatives to capitalise on unanticipated opportunities to advance gender equality.
How to Apply
fundsforNGOs: Monitor the fundsforNGOs website, the platform where the fund is usually announced.
Time Sensitive: Be prepared to explain why your project requires urgent action and cannot wait for traditional grant application cycles.
Impact: Clearly articulate how your project will produce a tangible, positive outcome for women's rights in Nigeria.
Entrepreneurship Grants In Nigeria
5. The Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Program (TEEP):
The Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Program (TEEP) is a flagship initiative of the Tony Elumelu Foundation to empower African entrepreneurs. This pan-African program stands out for its commitment to providing a holistic support system for young businesses with the potential to transform the continent.
TEEP offers a winning combination of financial support, mentorship, and intensive entrepreneurship training. Each year, thousands of selected entrepreneurs receive $5,000 in non-refundable seed capital, giving their business ideas a crucial boost. Beyond the money, the 12-week online training course provides essential business management skills, giving entrepreneurs the tools they need to transform their ideas into sustainable businesses.
One of TEEP's most significant advantages is the vast network it provides. Grantees connect with mentors, investors, and fellow entrepreneurs from Africa. This network fosters collaboration, facilitates partnerships, and opens new growth opportunities. If you're an early-stage African entrepreneur with a scalable business idea, TEEP is a highly competitive but potentially life-changing program.
How to Apply:
Visit the Website: Visit the Tony Elumelu Foundation website.
TEFConnect: Create an account on their digital platform, TEFConnect.
Complete the Application: The comprehensive application will ask about your business idea, its impact, and your entrepreneurial journey.
Wait for Results: Applications are rigorously reviewed, and results are typically announced several months after the application window closes.
6. African Business Heroes (ABH):
The African Business Heroes (ABH) initiative, backed by the Jack Ma Foundation, is designed to identify, showcase, and support exceptional African entrepreneurs. It goes beyond traditional grant programs by adopting a competition format. The top 10 finalists share a $1.5 million grant prize each year, opening doors to significant financial resources for scaling their businesses.
More than just money, ABH provides finalists with mentorship, global recognition, and invaluable networking opportunities. Participants connect with a community of high-profile investors, business leaders, and influential figures within the African entrepreneurial landscape. This visibility boost can be a tremendous asset, particularly for businesses seeking partnerships or wider recognition for their work.
To be eligible for ABH, you must have an established, revenue-generating business demonstrating a clear positive impact within your community. The competition is fierce, and the program seeks to reward innovation and dedication to creating tangible change. If you're an African entrepreneur with a proven track record and a compelling vision for the future, ABH offers a unique and potentially transformative opportunity.
How to Apply:
Website: Visit the Africa Business Heroes website.
Application Portal: Create a profile and complete the detailed application form.
Showcase Your Impact: Thoroughly explain how your business addresses a critical need and creates positive change.
Selection Process: Applications undergo several rounds of review, culminating in a pitch event for the top finalists.
7. Lagos State Entrepreneurs Trust Fund (LSETF):
The Lagos State Entrepreneurs Trust Fund (LSETF) is a government-backed initiative designed to boost the growth of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) within Lagos State. Established to address unemployment and promote a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem, LSETF offers a range of financial programs and other support services.
LSETF offers various funding options tailored to businesses' needs. These include loans with competitive interest rates, which can be a lifeline for businesses seeking to expand or purchase equipment. In some cases, they might also offer grants, especially for initiatives that align with specific Lagos State development goals.
How to Apply:
Website: Visit the official LSETF website.
Explore Programs: Thoroughly examine their funding schemes to find the one that best suits your business needs (loans, potential grants, etc.).
Eligibility: Each program will have specific eligibility requirements. Ensure your business meets these criteria.
Application: Follow the instructions for your chosen program. Typically, this may involve an online application and submitting supporting documents.
Government-backed Grants In Nigeria
8. Presidential Conditional Grant Scheme (PCGS):
The Presidential Conditional Grant Scheme (PCGS) is a Nigerian government initiative to empower very small businesses, often called "nano-businesses." Here's what you need to know:
Target Audience:
The PCGS prioritises supporting specific demographics:
70% of beneficiaries are women and youth.
10% are people with disabilities.
5% are senior citizens.
The remaining 15% goes to other demographics.
Grant Amount:
Each beneficiary receives a one-time grant of N50,000 (Nigerian Naira).
Eligible Businesses:
The PCGS targets businesses with:
Limited size and scope (often a single person or small team).
Asset value under N1 million.
Less than four employees.
Annual turnover under N1 million.
Eligible business sectors include:
Trading (retailers, market vendors)
Food services (food and vegetable vendors)
ICT (business centre operators, phone services)
Transportation (wheelbarrow pushers, independent riders)
Creative industries (makeup artists, fashion designers)
Artisans (vulcanisers, shoemakers)
How to Apply (Currently Closed):
Unfortunately, as of this writing, the information provided states that applications for the PCGS are currently closed. However, you can always visit the website to see if it is open.
The website mentions collaborating with various government representatives and organisations for beneficiary selection.
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Conclusion On List Of Grants In Nigeria and How To Apply
Are you interested in starting your own business in Nigeria? Numerous grants in Nigeria are available, including the prestigious Bet9ja Foundation Grant, that can help you realise your entrepreneurial dreams. Don't let lack of funding hold you back! Take the opportunity to explore these grants, create compelling proposals and positively impact your community. Apply now and be the change you wish to see in Nigeria!