Nigerian entrepreneurs can now register to be a part of the Africa’s Young Entrepreneur Empowerment Nigeria 2017, a program that seeks to help youths domiciled in Nigeria with businesses or business ideas, through mentoring and funding of their business.

According to details from the organizers, AYEEN2017 will help about 1,000 businesses with grants, facilitated loans, business equipment, specialized skills, scholarship and others, depending on the peculiarity of such businesses. Since its inception in 2014, the initiative has connected over 10,000 young entrepreneurs with stakeholders, government officials, and captains of industries.

The 2017 edition will be a thirteen-episode entrepreneurial reality show that promises to be educative, informative yet entertaining. Auditions will be held across 6 geo-political zones (Lagos, Delta, Calabar, Abuja, Kaduna, Enugu & Borno) as organizers hope to attract about 100,000 participants out of which 1,000 businesses will be admitted for the reality show. Entrepreneurs gets mentored on best business practices during the course of the show and eventually gets a chance to pitch for investment as the show draws to a close.

The program accepts application from youths aged 18 to 45, who will pitch their ideas and businesses before a well sort out panel of judges. The businesses will cut across the various sectors of the economy: transportation, technology, commodity goods, manufacturing, hospitality, agriculture, waste management and so much more.

Read also: How to Participate in the Made in Nigeria Challenge

Who can apply?

• Start-ups, existing businesses, and viable ideas that have economic benefits can apply for AYEEN 2017
• Past beneficiaries from previous programmes are free to participate.
• Nigerian resident in any part of the country to participate. All sectors and industries are welcomed.

Application is FREE.

Check out highlights of the 2016 Grand Finale

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIeL85tkwyA