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Centre for Enterprise Development
The Centre for Enterprise Development (CED) focuses on fostering entrepreneurship, digital literacy, and economic inclusion through targeted initiatives. Key activities include skills development programs for individuals and small business owners, startup incubation and mentorship, business development support, including seed funding, advisory services, and networking opportunities, and workshops, hackathons, and innovation challenges to spur creativity.
CED’s scope extends to policy advocacy, research, and digital inclusion initiatives, such as analyzing trends in digital transformation and SME growth, promoting affordable internet access and smartphone literacy, collaborating with financial institutions to expand access to low-interest loans and digital payment solutions, and cross-border knowledge exchange to share best practices in enterprise development and digital innovation. These efforts aim to reduce unemployment, bridge the digital divide, and foster sustainable economic growth. The following are the major programmes of the CED already executed in collaboration with various partners and donors include:
The Junior Business Seminar (JBS)
Launched by ALF in 1991, addresses youth unemployment and socio-economic exclusion by sensitizing young graduates on opportunities for private initiatives, encouraging enterprise development over traditional white-collar jobs, and firing imagination and promoting self-employment. The program's success led to its adoption by the Frederick Neumman Foundation in several countries, including Ghana, Senegal, Cote d'Ivoire, and Benin Republic.
Central Bank of Nigeria’s Entrepreneurship Development Project, Phase I (2008-2013)
ALF implemented the Central Bank of Nigeria's Entrepreneurship Development Centre (CBN-EDC) program in Southwest Nigeria from 2008. The program provided 12-16 weeks of intensive entrepreneurship training to unemployed graduates and young entrepreneurs. The key outcome was the empowerment of 18,167 individuals with entrepreneurship training which resulted in:
• Creation of 222 new enterprises
• Expansion of 869 existing ones
• Creation of about 3,500 jobs
• Facilitated access to finance for small businesses
• Customized training for senior executives, retirees, and tertiary institutions
• Partnership with HP for Graduate Entrepreneurship Training through Information Technology(GET-IT).
• Creation of 222 new enterprises
• Expansion of 869 existing ones
• Creation of about 3,500 jobs
• Facilitated access to finance for small businesses
• Customized training for senior executives, retirees, and tertiary institutions
• Partnership with HP for Graduate Entrepreneurship Training through Information Technology(GET-IT).
CBN-Entrepreneurship Development Centre, Phase II (2015-2017)
ALF continued its entrepreneurship development program with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for another three years, starting in 2015. The program trained 7,450 beneficiaries in comprehensive entrepreneurship skills and facilitated access to over N400 million in credit for beneficiaries through various loan sources, including MSME loans and microfinance banks.
The EDC Project and Achievement (2008-2017)
A total of 25,617 participants, including graduates and non-graduates, participated in 12-16 weeks of intensive training across Southwest Nigeria. The participants came from various sectors, including: agro-allied, manufacturing, retail, and service-oriented businesses, with a focus on small to medium-scale farming, agricultural value chain businesses, such as produce marketing, storage, processing, and distribution.
Table II below, summarizes the totality of access to finance facilitated by ALF under the entrepreneurship development programme.
- 715 trainees accessed N96.4 million in credit from financial institutions and private sources.
- N38.18 million in grants was awarded to CBN-EDC graduates through the YouWin scheme.
- In 2016, Oyo State Government, under the leadership of former Governor Isiaka Ajimobi provided N120 million in seed loans to 100 beneficiaries.
- Ogun State Government granted soft loans to 38 trainees through the Bank of Industries.
- The entrepreneurship training generated 5,465 jobs and expanded 2,581 businesses.
- ALF partnered with:
- Oyo State Government on OYO-Ajumose Business Leadership and Entrepreneurship Youth Programme (OYO-ABLE) empowered 50,000 youths.
- Oyo & Ekiti State Governments on Youth Agropreneurship Rebirth Scheme for 128,000 youths expected employment
- Sterling Bank PLC on Youth Entrepreneurship Development Programme (YEDP) for unemployed graduates.
ALF’s accreditation as an Entrepreneurship Development Institute EDI for Nigeria Incentive Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL MFB) Platform: ALF’s advocacy efforts led to the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Agribusiness Small and Medium Enterprise Investment Scheme (AGSMEIS) providing soft loans to SMEs. ALF submitted 1,148 loan applications, resulting in approved loans totaling ₦1,444,477,623 for its trainees.
ALF & Youth Entrepreneurship Development Programme (YEDP 2016)
ALF partnered with the Central Bank of Nigeria, Heritage Bank, and NYSC to implement the Youth Entrepreneurship Development Programme (YEDP). The program aimed to address youth unemployment through entrepreneurship training and soft loans. Key outcomes include; 484 youths trained in entrepreneurship and 92 individuals received startup grants of ₦3 million each to launch their businesses.
ALF Launched Digital Business Operation for SMEs:
ALF partnered with UNIDO and Hewlett Packard to implement the "Graduate Entrepreneurship Training through IT" (GET-IT) program, providing ICT training to young unemployed individuals to launch their own businesses. The program was initially rolled out in six African countries, and ALF continues to implement the UNIDO entrepreneurship program in Nigeria.
ALF’s Advocacy in Export Promotion for the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA)
ALF's involvement with AGOA in 2016 led to significant changes, including organizing Nigeria's Chapter of AGOA CSOs and Stakeholders' workshop in 2018, which resulted in recommendations to diversify the economy and support smallholder farmers. These outcomes were presented at the 17th AGOA Forum in Washington, D.C. in July 2018. In November 2018, Africa Leadership Foundation, with the supervision of USAID, singlehandedly prepared the first Nigeria National AGOA Strategy Document. The document has since been delivered to USAID for onward presentation to the Federal Government.
ALF and the Empowering Women in Agriculture (EWA) Project
ALF is dedicated to promoting gender equality and empowering women socio-economically. Through strategic partnerships, research initiatives, and training programs, ALF advances women's development. Notably, women made up 61.1% of ALF's trainees and 32% of those trained under AGSMEIS, underscoring ALF's commitment to inclusivity and women's empowerment.
ALF Tech-hub
ALF initiated integrating tech-hubs into entrepreneurship development in Nigeria, partnering with the CBN to establish hubs in Lagos and Ibadan. The Federal Ministry of Communications relocated its Southwest Technology Innovation Hub to ALF's Ibadan center, installing equipment worth millions. ALF was entrusted with managing the hub, receiving interest from the Oyo State Government and NIITDA.
Partnership with Nigeria Diaspora Direct Investment Scheme (NDDIS)
The partnership aims to restore trust and confidence among diaspora Nigerians, providing a secure platform for investment, direct interface with reputable Nigerian institutions, exhibition spaces for companies to showcase opportunities and deal rooms for networking and negotiations in order to foster a conducive environment for diaspora Nigerians to explore investment opportunities in Nigeria.
Partnership with Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives on Export Readiness Programme for Lagos Farmers
The Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture partnered with ALF under the World Bank's APPEAL project to train farmers on accessing 2nd level funding for business expansion, build capacity for export readiness and enhance SMEs' competitiveness in the agricultural value chain with the aim to ultimately improve their livelihoods and contribute to the state's economic growth.
Partnerships with Nigerian Universities on Entrepreneurship Development Training
ALF partnered with several Nigerian universities, including Redeemer's University, Babcock University, Christland University, and Lead City University, to equip penultimate students with entrepreneurship skills. This initiative aims to tackle youth unemployment by empowering students to explore alternative employment options and become entrepreneurs, fostering a mindset shift towards self-employment and business ownership
Partnership with the State Governments to Train Residents and Indigenes
Several states in Nigeria have seen the value of entrepreneurship training for their citizens and partnered with ALF for facilitation. These states include: Ekiti, Osun, Lagos, Kwara, and Oyo States.
ALF Partnership with AFREXIMBANK on Agribusiness Export Readiness Accelerator Training, West Africa
The Affrexim/ALF's Agribusiness Export Readiness Accelerator Programme aims to equip West African agribusinesses with skills and resources to tap into continental trade opportunities under AfCFTA, enhance SMEs' technical capacity, export knowledge, networking by enabling SMEs to scale operations across borders and access competitive export markets in order to drive economic growth.
Digital Empowerment
ALF Tech Hub
The Tech Hub is targeted at small tech-based businesses to enable them to overcome the challenges of starting up – in terms of workspace, equipment and initial operational costs. Currently, the hub has incubated several start-up businesses of which one of the incubators, HelpMum, won first place and the best performance award with a cash prize of $3000 and a 3-month acceleration programme. HelpMum was also one of the 1000 awardees of the 2017 Tony Elumelu Entrepreneur, which comes with a business grant of $5000 and mentoring.
ALF Launched Digital Business Operation for SMEs
ALF capacitated hundreds of young Nigerians through the support of UNIDO and Hewlett Packard HP “Graduate Entrepreneurship Training through IT” (GET-IT) programme in Africa. The programme provided young unemployed people across Africa with ICT training to help them start their own businesses. The initial roll out in six African countries (Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa, Tunisia, and Uganda), ALF continues to be one of the Implementing Agency for the UNIDO entrepreneurship programme in Nigeria.
GOOGLE CS FIRST WORKSHOP
The Africa Leadership Foundation through it’s Digital Empowerment Centre conducted CS First workshops for 391 beneficiaries including 361 pupils (161 boys and 199 girls) and 31 teachers selected from19 schools within local communities in Oyo State Nigeria. The workshop aims to build the coding skills of school pupils and teachers, and to teach the how to build projects from “Scratch”.
The training was done within April and June 2023 in collaboration with Cape Town Science Centre and funded by Google.
The training was done within April and June 2023 in collaboration with Cape Town Science Centre and funded by Google.
Entreprenuership Centre
Agribusiness Small Medium Enterprise Investment Scheme
ALF’s consistency in the pro-poor advocacy ensured that government sustained the entrepreneurship development project, the introduction of the Agri-business Small Medium Enterprise Investment Scheme by the government became a springboard through which ALF assisted unemployed graduates and micro businesses operators secure over 1-billion-naira soft loans to start and/or expand their businesses.
ALF Partners with Lagos State APPEALS on Export Readiness Programme for Lagos Farmers:
In recognition of ALF’s impact on entrepreneurship and empowerment programmes, the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture, under the aegis of World Banks Support Project titled Agro-Processing, Productivity Enhancement, and Livelihood Improvement (APPEAL), sought for ALF to assist in training the Lagos Farmers on 2nd Level Funding for business expansion, and the possibility of capacitating farmers on export readiness programme. One major aim of the implementation is to seek how ALF can assist SMEs to utilize agricultural value chain to gain competitiveness and prepare SMEs for export readiness.
CBN- Entrepreneurship Development Project, Phase I (2008-2013)
The Entrepreneurship Development Centre (EDC), Lagos is one of the three Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Entrepreneurship Development Centres, originally located in Lagos, Kano and Onitsha for South West, North West and South East Geo-political zones. The one for the South West located in Lagos is managed and operated by the Africa Leadership Foundation to provide training, strategies and certification programmes that will assist young Nigerians to embrace micro, small and medium scale enterprises as alternative employment options. It was established in 2008 and by 2013 it has trained 18,167 young men and women, created 222 new enterprises, expanded 869 existing business enterprise, created 3,356 jobs and facilitated ₦205.470 million as business loans for the EDC trainees.
CBN-Entrepreneurship Development Centre, Phase II (2015-2017)
In the second phase of the EDC Project, which commenced in 2015, a total of 5500 entrepreneurs have been trained as at December 2017. Over the same period, 150 new small businesses started; 1136 existing businesses expanded; 1886 jobs created; and 342 clients accessed more than ₦241 million business funds.
ALF’s Advocacy in Export Promotion for the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act AGOA
ALF organized and coordinated the Nigeria’s Chapter of AGOA CSOs and Stakeholders’ workshop. The workshop which is the first since AGOA was launched, took place on the 11th of June 2018 at the CIPE, Lagos. The outcome of the AGOA CSO meeting was tabled at the 17th edition of AGOA Forum in Washington in July 2018. ALF further spearheaded the team that discussed with the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI) on Nigeria’s implementation strategy of AGOA. In November 2018, ALF with the supervision of USAID, prepared the first Nigeria National AGOA Strategy Document. The document has since been delivered to USAID for onward presentation to the Federal Government.
Medical Entrepreneurship Programme
The Africa Leadership Foundation in partnership with the Ace Medicare Clinics Limited with the support of YASHODA Hospital in India in 2013 initiated the medical entrepreneurship programme where medical doctors will be trained on how to apply entrepreneurial and business management principles into medical practice as a way of promoting sustainable and world class health delivery services.
ALF Agroprenuership Programme
The programme was a specialised agricultural value chain scheme linking young farmers, agricultural experts, finance and output off-takers. ALF trained over 100 young people as Agricultural Service Providers in Ekiti State to use Power Tillers in providing land cultivation services to farmers and link the farmers to industries that would off-take their farm products.
ALF & Youth Entrepreneurship Development Programme (YEDP 2016)
ALF in collaboration with the CBN set up the Youth Enterprise Development Programme (YEDP), jointly implemented by Heritage Bank and The National Youth Service Corps. The YEDP was an intervention programme set-up to urgently address youth unemployment, and embrace entrepreneurship as an alternative employment option. The project aims to set up successful candidates with a soft loan of three million naira, at single digit interest rate, payable within three years. A total of 484 youths received three days impactful training in three different locations in the Southwest. A total of 92 persons from the 484 trained by ALF were among the first batch of youth granted a minimum of ₦3million each to start up their businesses.
OYOABLE and Oodu’a-OYSG-ALF Vocational and Skills Acquisition Centre, Ibadan
A public- private partnership between the ALF, Oodu’a Investment Company Limited (OICL), and the Oyo State Government (OYSG) to facilitate vocational and entrepreneurship training focusing on carefully selected trade lines with higher multiplier effects in terms of employment and income generation.
ALF Partners Universities to Capacitate Penultimate Students on Entrepreneurship Development Training
In its quest to expressly address youth unemployment in Nigeria, ALF partnered a number of Higher Institutions in Nigeria to train their students on alternative employment option. Many of the students also showed willingness to set up their own businesses and become their own bosses. These Universities include Redeemers University, Babcock University, Christland University and Leadcity University.
ALF Partners State Governments to Train Residents and Indigenes
A number of states in Nigeria saw the benefits of equipping their citizens with entrepreneurship skills, hence they consulted ALF to assist with the facilitation, these states include Ekiti, Osun, Lagos, Kwara, and Oyo States.
Junior Business Seminar (JBS)
This programme was initiated in 1991 for final students of Nigerian Universities. The main objective of JBS is to sharpen awareness and create interest in self-employment, self-reliance, and private initiatives; expose participants to a wide variety of techniques of managing business enterprises and also to inculcate the culture of entrepreneurship in young graduates of higher institutions. The success of this programme was attested by Frederick Neumman Foundation which adopted it as its flagship programme in Ghana, Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire and Benin Republic.