The Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) has sealed a partnership with Stage Africa Media and Advisory to train and empower 3,000 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Abia and Enugu states under its 2025 MSME Capacity Building Programme.

The initiative, set to kick off in the South-East region, is aimed at equipping entrepreneurs with the skills, tools, and knowledge needed to grow and sustain their businesses in today’s evolving economy.

The organisers explained that participants will first complete at least one course on the DBN Learning Management System (LMS), a free digital platform offering practical lessons on business essentials such as accounting, sales, credit management, and access to finance. This initial phase serves as a prerequisite to qualify for further stages of the programme.

They explained that top performing MSMEs on the LMS will be invited to in-person training sessions, followed by a pitch competition where selected participants will receive mentorship, feedback on their business plans, and stand a chance to win grants.

“Our partnership with DBN is driven by a mission to equip entrepreneurs with the knowledge, tools, and digital readiness they need to succeed. We’re not just training businesses, we’re preparing them for long term success in a fast-changing economy,” Lead Consultant at Stage Africa, Omotoyosi Ajayi, said.

To reach both urban and rural entrepreneurs, Ajayi said Stage Africa will leverage community-based outreach, trade associations, and grassroots mobilization, adding that all training stages are completely free.