The Bank of Industry, in partnership with MTN Foundation, has officially launched the N1 Billion Y’ellopreneur 3.0 Matching Fund, a major financing initiative aimed at supporting women-led businesses across Nigeria.
The programme is designed to provide capital, structured business support, and capacity building for female entrepreneurs operating within Nigeria’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) ecosystem. The launch of the 3.0 edition signals a renewed commitment to advancing financial inclusion, economic empowerment, and gender-responsive access to finance.
Women entrepreneurs seeking funding can now apply through the official BOI portal.
The Y’ellopreneur Fund is a collaborative initiative between the Bank of Industry and MTN Foundation. It provides matching grants and business development support to eligible women entrepreneurs across various sectors of the Nigerian economy.
Under the 3.0 Matching Fund window, selected women-owned businesses receive financial support from BOI. This funding is then matched by contributions from MTN Foundation. The matching structure effectively doubles the available capital, allowing beneficiaries to scale operations faster and strengthen their business foundations.
This approach does not only provide funding. It ensures that beneficiaries receive both financial backing and structured business support, which increases their chances of long-term sustainability.
Strengthening Financial Inclusion and Women’s Economic Empowerment
Access to capital remains one of the biggest barriers facing women entrepreneurs in Nigeria. Many promising businesses struggle to expand due to limited financing options and lack of structured support systems.
Through the Y’ellopreneur 3.0 initiative, BOI and MTN Foundation are addressing this gap directly. The fund forms part of broader national efforts to promote inclusive growth and improve access to finance for women-led enterprises.
By combining grant support with capacity building, the initiative strengthens women-owned businesses and enhances their contribution to job creation and economic development.
Who Should Apply?
The Y’ellopreneur 3.0 call is open to:
Women entrepreneurs with registered businesses in Nigeria
Small and medium enterprises with sound and scalable business models
Businesses operating in diverse sectors, including:
Agriculture and agribusiness
Manufacturing
Technology and ICT
Services such as hospitality, retail, logistics, health, and education
The programme is especially suitable for businesses seeking to expand production, enter new markets, improve productivity, or strengthen operational capacity.
Eligibility Requirements
Interested applicants are expected to demonstrate:
Evidence of business registration (CAC certificate)
A viable business model with clear growth potential
Basic financial records
A defined and transparent use of funds
Readiness to participate in a matching fund arrangement
Meeting these requirements ensures that selected businesses are prepared to maximise the impact of the financial support.
Key Benefits of the Y’ellopreneur 3.0 Programme
1. Matching Grant Support
The core advantage of the programme lies in its matching structure. Selected women-led businesses receive funding from BOI, which is matched by MTN Foundation. This significantly increases the available capital for business expansion.
The matching mechanism allows beneficiaries to accelerate growth without relying solely on traditional loans.
2. Business Development Services
Beyond funding, participants gain access to structured business support and training. These services focus on:
Financial management
Business planning
Operational efficiency
Market linkage creation
Capacity building ensures that beneficiaries do not only receive capital but also develop the skills necessary to manage and grow their enterprises sustainably.
3. Access to Networks and Market Opportunities
Women entrepreneurs selected for the programme gain increased visibility within industry ecosystems. This includes exposure to:
Investor networks
Strategic partnerships
Industry platforms
New market opportunities
Networking and market access often play a critical role in business expansion, and the programme integrates this component deliberately.
4. Nationwide Coverage
The Y’ellopreneur 3.0 initiative supports eligible businesses across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. This national reach ensures inclusive participation and broad economic impact.
Why the Y’ellopreneur 3.0 Fund Matters for Nigeria’s MSME Sector
Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises contribute significantly to Nigeria’s GDP and employment generation. However, limited access to affordable finance continues to constrain growth, especially for women-led businesses.
By providing N1 billion in structured support through matching grants, BOI and MTN Foundation are helping to unlock the growth potential of female entrepreneurs. The initiative strengthens gender inclusion within Nigeria’s business ecosystem and promotes balanced economic participation.
Programmes such as Y’ellopreneur 3.0 demonstrate how public and private sector partnerships can create practical solutions to financing gaps.
How to Apply for the Y’ellopreneur 3.0 Matching Fund
Applicants are encouraged to ensure that all submitted information is accurate and complete to avoid disqualification.
Conclusion
The N1 Billion Y’ellopreneur 3.0 Matching Fund represents a strategic effort to empower women entrepreneurs in Nigeria with both capital and capacity. Through this initiative, the Bank of Industry and MTN Foundation are reinforcing their commitment to inclusive economic growth and sustainable enterprise development.
Women-led businesses with strong potential for expansion are encouraged to review the programme details and apply within the stated timeline.
For continuous updates on business funding opportunities, financial inclusion programmes, and MSME development news, stay connected to BankiBusiness.com.
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PRUDENT JOSHUA is a finance and business writer covering banking, fintech, investment and small business growth in emerging markets, with a focus on practical insights that help entrepreneurs build, manage, and scale profitable businesses.
