Call for Proposal Partnership for Tailored Business Mentorship & Coaching of Female-led Nano and Micro Businesses in Creative and Greening Sectors at Young Africa International

Background and Context

Nigeria’s entrepreneurial landscape is dynamic, with women playing a central role in the nano and micro enterprise sector. According to SMEDAN and NBS, women own more than 40% of micro and small businesses, yet they remain disproportionately constrained by barriers including:

1. Limited access to finance and credit, due to collateral requirements, lack of networks, and gender bias.
2. Restricted market access and low visibility of products.
3. Skills gaps in business planning, financial literacy, and digital adoption.
4. Household responsibilities limiting time and flexibility to grow businesses.
5. Vulnerability to inflation, competition, and policy gaps.

The Creative (“Orange Economy”) offers opportunities in fashion, digital media, film, performing arts, and tech innovation. The Greening (“Green Economy”) is rapidly expanding with demand in renewable energy, recycling, waste management, and eco-friendly business solutions. However, women entrepreneurs in these spaces often operate informally and lack the mentorship, financial linkages, and structured business support to scale.

This call aims to address these barriers by equipping women with tailored mentorship, business coaching, financial literacy, and linkages to finance and markets, enabling their growth into sustainable and resilient businesses.

Objectives and Outcomes

The intervention seeks to mentor and coach 2,000 female entrepreneurs by April 2026:

1. 1,000 in Creative Skills (Orange Economy)
2. 1,000 in Greening Skills (Green Economy)

Expected Outcomes:

1. Female-led nano and micro businesses adopt improved business practices, record-keeping, and growth strategies.
2. Increased access to finance through linkages with microfinance institutions, cooperatives, savings groups, and digital finance platforms.
3. Expansion of market access through networks, branding, and digital visibility.
4. Growth in employment opportunities and job creation.
5. Improved resilience of women entrepreneurs in creative and green value chains.

Geographic coverage: FCT (Abuja), Lagos, Ondo, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Edo.

Eligibility Criteria for Applicants

Proposals are invited from organisations that are:

1. Legally registered in Nigeria with proven operational presence.
2. Have audited financial statements for at least the past two years.
3. Proven track record in mentoring/coaching young entrepreneurs, particularly women.
4. Experience in one or both of the target sectors (Creative/Orange or Green economy).
5. Capacity to provide referrals and linkages to finance.
6. Adequate safeguarding, accountability, and monitoring systems.

Deliverables of Selected Partners

1. Design and deliver structured mentorship and coaching programmes.
2. Provide one-to-one and group mentorship, including financial literacy and digital integration.
3. Facilitate linkages to finance (MFIs, savings groups, digital wallets, investors).
4. Track project outcomes and document progress (profitability, jobs created, access to finance, business growth).
5. Submit timely narrative and financial reports.

Application Process – Concept Note Structure (Max. 6–7 pages)

Concept notes must clearly outline the following:

1. Organisational Profile
   • Legal status, registration, audited accounts.
   • Relevant experience in mentorship, coaching, and women’s enterprise support.
2. Proposed Approach
   • How mentorship and coaching will be delivered (methods, frequency, tools).
   • Plans for financial literacy and linkages to finance.
   • Use of digital tools and innovative practices.
3. Geographic Coverage & Target
   • Indicate which states/districts the organisation will cover.
   • Indicate the number of mentees you can realistically reach (out of the 2,000 total target).
4. Participant Identification & Selection
   • Clear process for identifying and enrolling participants.
   • Prioritisation of vulnerable women (young mothers, out-of-school youth, women with disabilities, GBV survivors).
5. Monitoring & Follow-up
   • Mechanisms to track mentee progress, outcomes, and sustainability.
   • Post-mentorship follow-up to ensure continued business growth.
6. Work Plan & Timeline
   • Key activities, milestones, and delivery schedule (Nov 2025 – Apr 2026).