SMEDAN launches BRYNE project to support 100,000 young entrepreneurs

The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) has launched the Building Resilient Young Nigerian Entrepreneurs (BRYNE) project. The initiative aims to support more than 100,000 young entrepreneurs annually through a combination of enterprise training, incubation, mentorship, access to finance, and market opportunities.

Announced by Director-General Charles Odii during International Youth Day 2026 activities, the program utilizes four primary channels to reach participants in communities, tertiary institutions, and via digital platforms. The SMEDAN Incubation Programme will support 600 entrepreneurs each year in sectors such as agriculture, fashion, and woodwork.

Additionally, the Campus Enterprise Engagement Platform will target up to 3,000 participants per participating tertiary institution through workshops and networking. The BRYNE Digital Connect will provide online entrepreneurship education, while a weekly startup hackathon will offer business education to 5,000 entrepreneurs, with 52 weekly winners receiving N250,000 each in seed funding.