In an effort to advance inclusive entrepreneurship, the Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) of Pan-Atlantic University, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, launched a comprehensive handbook on Monday in Lagos. The guide is designed to address structural and financial barriers faced by Nigerian entrepreneurs, particularly women, youth, people with disabilities, and the internally displaced.
Speaking at the launch, Professor Enase Okonedo, Vice-Chancellor of Pan-Atlantic University, emphasized that the handbook is intended as a roadmap for organizations aiming to create equitable opportunities in the entrepreneurship space. “Building inclusive entrepreneurship requires coordinated efforts across sectors to dismantle structural, financial, and cultural barriers,” Okonedo said, adding that the guide offers practical tools for program developers.
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Rosy Fynn, Country Director for Nigeria Programs at Mastercard Foundation, highlighted that years of work in Nigeria underscored the need for targeted resources for underrepresented groups. “This handbook draws from our experience with vulnerable groups and serves as a practical blueprint for organizations supporting inclusive entrepreneurship in Nigeria,” Fynn explained.
Dr. Nneka Okekearu, Director of EDC, noted that the handbook builds on over two decades of the Centre’s experience in entrepreneurship development across Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa. She explained that the guide offers insights for developing programs that foster a more inclusive entrepreneurial landscape, aiming to leave no aspiring business owner behind.
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