MTN Nigeria Launches ₦100 Million Accelerator Programme for African Startups

MTN Nigeria has launched the “From Africa, for Africa” Accelerator Programme, a transformative initiative aimed at empowering growth-stage startups across the continent. This program is designed to serve as a launchpad for Africa’s most promising innovators, providing them with unparalleled access to funding, mentorship, and MTN’s extensive telecom infrastructure.

Lynda Saint Nwafor, Enterprise Business Officer at MTN Nigeria, highlighted the significance of the program during the launch event, describing it as more than just another accelerator but a launchpad to greatness. The initiative is intended to fuel Africa’s digital future, leveraging the power of the MTN Cloud.

The MTN Accelerator Programme is tailored to support startups in various sectors, including fintech, agritech, healthtech, edtech, e-commerce, AI, and cybersecurity. The focus is on addressing real African challenges and supporting growth-stage startups with working products, particularly those serving underserved and rural communities.

The program offers a comprehensive support system for startups, including a ₦100 million grant pool, integration with MTN’s full tech stack, expert-led mentorship, technical advisory, go-to-market support, and introductions to venture capital investors. A key highlight is the Demo Day, where startups will showcase their progress to investors, media, and partners. Participants will also gain access to a roadmap for scaling, potential pilot projects with MTN, strategic partnerships, and lifetime membership in MTN’s alumni network.

Lynda emphasized the program’s mission to build Africa’s future by providing risk-takers, builders, and disruptors with the tools to scale, including funding, mentorship, technical integrations, and access to the largest telecom infrastructure on the continent.

The 12-week program is structured for maximum impact, blending in-person and virtual engagements. Week 1 and Week 12 will feature in-person sessions, with the kick-off and Demo Day hosted in Lagos, Nigeria. Weeks 2 through 11 will consist of virtual workshops, meta check-ins, and product design sprints, all integrated into the MTN ecosystem. Applications for the program open on July 2, 2025, with the first cohort launching in September 2025.

Selected startups will work closely with MTN’s technical and business experts to refine their products, enhance scalability, and prepare for market expansion. This initiative builds on MTN Nigeria’s legacy of fostering digital transformation, including its ₦3 billion commitment to the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) program, which has trained over 90,000 Nigerians in digital skills to drive economic inclusion.

The program’s focus on underserved and rural communities is particularly significant, aiming to ensure that innovation bridges the gap between urban and rural Africa. The MTN Accelerator Programme is open to growth-stage startups with a working product in fintech, agritech, healthtech, edtech, e-commerce, AI, or cybersecurity, with a particular emphasis on those addressing challenges in underserved communities.

Lynda declared that the program is open to startups solving real African problems, emphasizing that real inclusion is when innovation touches every corner. The program’s equity-free support model mirrors successful initiatives, ensuring startups retain full ownership while accessing world-class resources.