Blacknest Africa has disbursed over ₦1 million in grants to Nigerian entrepreneurs through its Business Plan Workshops, reinforcing a model that combines practical training with direct funding support for early-stage businesses.
The initiative, which began in Lagos in April 2025, brought together aspiring and existing entrepreneurs for intensive sessions on business planning, financial structuring, and funding readiness. Participants were guided on how to move from ideas to execution, with a focus on building sustainable and investment-ready ventures.
A major highlight of the Lagos workshop was a pitch session where selected participants presented their business ideas before a review panel. At the end of the session, one entrepreneur received a ₦100,000 grant to support business development.
The programme later expanded to Jos, Plateau State, in November 2025, recording strong participation and increased impact. The Jos edition featured a more competitive pitch round, with three entrepreneurs receiving a combined total of ₦1 million in grants. The winners were selected based on the scalability, sustainability, and growth potential of their business ideas.
Across both locations, the workshops addressed key gaps in entrepreneurial development, particularly in structured business planning and access to finance. Training sessions were designed to equip participants with practical tools to manage operations, attract investment, and scale their businesses effectively.
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According to the organisation, the programme is structured to go beyond theoretical learning by integrating funding into the training process. This approach allows entrepreneurs to apply what they learn immediately, reducing common barriers to starting or expanding a business.
The initiative also reflects a broader trend within the entrepreneurial ecosystem, where capacity-building programmes are increasingly paired with financial support to drive measurable outcomes.
Blacknest Africa stated that it plans to expand the workshops to more cities across Nigeria while exploring opportunities to extend the model into other African markets. The organisation noted that its goal is to build a network of entrepreneurs equipped with both the skills and resources needed to develop sustainable businesses.
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