The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) has unveiled a new initiative, the Building Resilient Young Nigerian Entrepreneurs project, to support more than 100,000 young entrepreneurs annually.

SMEDAN’s director-general, Charles Odii, who announced the initiative as part of activities marking International Youth Day 2026 in a statement on Friday, said BRYNE would provide practical pathways for young Nigerians at different stages of entrepreneurship.

According to Mr Odii, the initiative will combine enterprise training, incubation, mentorship, access to finance, market opportunities and business development support.

”The BRYNE brings several opportunities together, from training and incubation to finance, markets and mentorship. The initiative will give more young Nigerians opportunities to build sustainable businesses capable of creating jobs,” he said.

The head of SMEDAN’s women and youth unit, Bimpe Fawale, said BRYNE would operate through four major channels. She said the channels would reach young entrepreneurs through communities, tertiary institutions and digital platforms.

Ms Fawale said the SMEDAN Incubation Programme would support 600 young entrepreneurs annually in fashion, woodwork, agriculture and other sectors. She also said the Campus Enterprise Engagement Platform would provide practical business workshops, advisory sessions, networking and exhibitions for student-owned businesses.

Ms Fawale explained that the programme targets up to 3,000 participants per participating tertiary institution. She said BRYNE Digital Connect would provide entrepreneurship education, promote innovation and business growth, and connect youth-led businesses to wider markets.

Ms Fawale added that a weekly startup hackathon would provide business education and enterprise opportunities for 5,000 young entrepreneurs. She further said that 52 selected winners would receive N250,000 each in seed funding, with one winner selected weekly.

(NAN)