The DBN Entrepreneurship Training Programme 2026 by the Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) is a free, hybrid capacity-building initiative for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria.
The program tackles two major challenges facing Nigerian MSMEs:
- Lack of formal business education
- Limited access to finance
By the end of the program, DBN aims to help transform informal or semi-structured businesses into bankable, scalable enterprises capable of driving national economic growth.
DBN Entrepreneurship Training Programme Summary
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) |
| Programme Name | DBN Entrepreneurship Training Programme 2026 |
| Target | Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) |
| Location | Nigeria (Online nationwide and state workshops) |
| Format | Hybrid—Self-paced online + in-person workshops |
| Cost | Free (no tuition fee) |
| Core Focus | Business education, financial literacy, access to grants |
| Key Outcome | Improved bankability and growth-readiness of MSMEs |
DBN Training: Three-Pillar Structure
1. Online Training (BizAid Portal)
All accepted participants gain access to the DBN BizAid Learning Management System.
You will complete self-paced online modules covering DBN entrepreneurship training courses:
- Essential Business Management
- Advanced Financial Literacy
- Sustainability and Scaling Strategies
- Business Model Canvas (BMC) Development
These online courses provide the foundational knowledge needed to run a structured, growth-ready business.
2. State-Level In-Person Workshops
Top-performing participants from the online phase are shortlisted for intensive, physical workshops held at the state level.
These in-person sessions include:
- Direct mentoring from industry experts and business coaches
- One-on-one business plan refinement and feedback
- Pitch preparation and presentation training
This phase helps you convert your learning into a practical, fundable business plan.
3. Competitive Grant Opportunities
High-performing graduates of the training can compete for direct grant funding.
- These are grants, not loans—they do not require repayment.
- Grants are intended for:
- Scaling market reach
- Improving production and distribution capacity
- Strengthening internal business operations
This structure makes the DBN Entrepreneurship Training Programme 2026 one of the most impactful free MSME training and grant schemes in Nigeria.
DBN Training Requirements
To qualify for the DBN Entrepreneurship Training Programme 2026, applicants must meet the following:
- Your business must be an MSME operating within Nigeria.
- You may be at an early stage, growing, or expanding, but you must be actively trading or planning to trade soon.
- Ability to complete all self-paced online modules on the BizAid portal.
- Willingness to attend state-level physical workshops, if selected for the next stage.
- You must score at least 80% in the online module assessments to be considered for:
- The in-person workshop stage, and
- Subsequent grant competition.
DBN Entrepreneurship Training Benefits
- Zero-cost capacity building
- Self-paced online + intensive in-person
- Direct access to industry veterans
- Non-repayable capital for growth
- Improved access to commercial finance
- Demonstrated structured management
DBN Training portal
Interested MSMEs should create an account on the DBN Learning Portal to begin registration and module enrollment by clicking the button below.
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