MTN Nigeria has officially launched its “From Africa, for Africa” accelerator program, with applications now open for startups to participate in the 12-week initiative set to kick off in September. The program, backed by a 100 million naira fund (approximately $65,200), is designed to support high-potential startups operating in sectors such as fintech, agritech, health, education, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity. In addition to financial assistance, the program offers a range of support services including mentorship, access to MTN’s technological tools, and connections to a network of experts and investors.
This initiative aligns with MTN Nigeria’s overarching commitment to digital transformation. The company has already allocated 3 billion naira to the government-led “3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT)” program, which has successfully trained over 90,000 Nigerians in digital skills. During the launch of the accelerator program, Lynda Saint-Nwafor, Chief Enterprise Business Officer at MTN Nigeria, emphasized the accelerator as a “launchpad to greatness,” highlighting its utilization of MTN’s cloud infrastructure to drive Africa’s digital future.
The accelerator program will feature a combination of in-person sessions in Lagos and virtual workshops. The program will commence and conclude with physical events, with the intervening weeks dedicated to online workshops, product design sprints, and personalized mentorship. Selected startups will have exclusive access to MTN’s tech infrastructure, including Cloud services, MoMo APIs, and data analytics tools. Additionally, participants will benefit from commercial and marketing support, leading up to a demo day where startups will pitch their ideas to potential investors and partners.
The success of the program will heavily depend on the diversity of the selected startups and their ability to create sustainable job opportunities, especially in rural and underserved markets. The accelerator program faces stiff competition from established programs such as the Google for Startups Accelerator Africa and Telecel-Startupbootcamp AfriTech’s ASIP program, both boasting retention rates nearing 90%.
To maximize its impact, the program must collaborate closely with public training and employment policies. Furthermore, it will be crucial to monitor outcomes rigorously to refine the program’s approach and validate its contribution to strengthening a resilient and inclusive African tech ecosystem. Source: Ecofin Agency.
