MTN Nigeria has proudly unveiled a transformative initiative aimed at empowering growth-stage startups across the continent: the MTN Accelerator Programme, aptly titled “From Africa, for Africa”. This program is strategically positioned as a launchpad for Africa’s most promising innovators, providing unparalleled access to critical resources such as funding, mentorship, and MTN’s extensive telecom infrastructure. At its launch event, Lynda Saint Nwafor, Enterprise Business Officer at MTN Nigeria, emphasized the program's unique value, describing it as “not just another accelerator but a launchpad to greatness,” designed to significantly fuel Africa’s digital future, powered by the MTN Cloud.

The MTN Accelerator Programme is structured to cultivate a robust ecosystem for startups operating in vital sectors including fintech, agritech, healthtech, edtech, e-commerce, artificial intelligence (AI), and cybersecurity. A core focus of the initiative is to solve real African challenges, specifically targeting growth-stage startups with operational products. There is a particular encouragement for those addressing the needs of underserved and rural communities, embodying Lynda Saint Nwafor’s declaration: “Real inclusion is when innovation touches every corner.”

Participants in the program will benefit from a comprehensive package of support. This includes a substantial ₦100 million grant pool, seamless integration with MTN’s full technology stack (encompassing MTN Cloud and MoMo, MTN’s mobile money platform), expert-led mentorship, and crucial technical advisory. Furthermore, startups will receive vital go-to-market support and a direct introduction to venture capital (VC) investors, culminating in a highly anticipated Demo Day. This event will gather investors, media, and partners to showcase the startups’ advancements. Additional benefits include a clear roadmap for scaling their operations, opportunities for potential pilot projects with MTN, strategic partnerships, and a lifetime membership in MTN’s alumni network.

The 12-week MTN Accelerator Programme is meticulously designed for maximum impact, integrating both in-person and virtual engagements. The initial and final weeks (Week 1 and Week 12) will feature intensive in-person sessions, with the kick-off event and Demo Day hosted in Lagos, Nigeria. The intervening weeks (Weeks 2 through 11) will consist of dynamic virtual workshops, meta check-ins, and product design sprints, all seamlessly integrated into the broader MTN ecosystem. Applications for this pioneering program are set to open on July 2, 2025, with the first cohort scheduled to commence in September 2025. Selected startups will engage closely with MTN’s technical and business experts to refine their products, enhance scalability, and prepare effectively for market expansion.

This initiative underscores MTN’s longstanding commitment to fostering digital transformation across the continent. It builds upon previous successes, such as MTN Nigeria’s ₦3 billion commitment to the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) program, which has already empowered over 90,000 Nigerians with essential digital skills, thereby driving economic inclusion. The program’s emphasis on bridging the gap between urban and rural Africa through innovation is particularly significant. Mirroring successful models like Google’s Accelerator Africa, which offers substantial cloud credits and mentorship without requiring equity, the MTN Accelerator Programme adopts an equity-free support model. This ensures that participating startups retain full ownership of their ventures while gaining access to world-class resources, further solidifying MTN’s dedication to nurturing Africa’s entrepreneurial spirit.