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The Green Climate Fund is unique in its ability to engage directly with both the public and private sector in transformational climate-sensitive investments. The Fund traditionally works through a wide range of entities to channel its resources to projects and programmes. Such entities may be international, regional, national, or subnational, public or private institutions that meet the standards of the Fund. Countries may access the Fund through multiple sources simultaneously.
As part of its innovative framework, the Fund has the capacity to bear significant climate-related risk, allowing it to leverage and crowd in additional financing. The Fund offers a wide range of financial products, enabling it to match project needs and adapt to specific investment contexts, including the use of its funding to overcome market barriers for private finance.
- Developing and submitting funding proposals for projects and programmes;
- Overseeing management and implementation of projects and programmes;
- Overseeing management and implementation of projects and programmes;
- Deploying a range of financial instruments within their respective capacities (grants, concessional loans, equity & guarantees); and
- Mobilizing private sector capital.
- Basic Fiduciary Standards
- Specialized Fiduciary Standards
- Project Management
- On-lending and or blending for loans
- ESS Risk: Category B
- Medium Sized Projects
- Project Size: DBN is accredited to manage Micro and Small-sized projects, with total project values from USD 50 million to USD 250 million.
- Financial Instruments: DBN can deploy concessional loans to finance climate projects, tailored especially for MSMEs and Participating Financial Institutions (PFIs).
- Focus Areas: DBN’s accreditation spans both Climate Mitigation and Adaptation activities. This includes renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable agriculture, green infrastructure, and climate-resilient MSME financing.
- a. DBN will designate a select list of Banks to work with on GCF funded projects
- b. These Banks will commit a size of their portfolio to climate finance and create a aggregated portfolio for climate finance
- c. Based on the size of the portfolio, GCF funds will be assessed to match the portfolio size and blended with the PFI’s portfolio. Most likely GCF funding will be subordinated debt to the Banks and this will help reduce the cost of capital as well
- d. Other instruments such as grants and guarantees will be used to derisk the projects
- e. The underlying type of projects will be pre-agreed with GCF covering mitigation and adaptation project types
- f. Finally, all interested parties will be required to get a no-objection from NCCC and on obtaining it will be directed to go to the designated banks to access the climate finance for their projects.
The 2026 Development Bank of Nigeria Entrepreneurship Training Programme (DBN ETP) 8.0
Cohort 1
• In-person workshops hold in June 2026Cohort 2
• In-person workshops hold November 2026Note: Learning on the BizAid learning platform runs annually from 1st January to 31st December.
• Visit: https://learning.devbankng.com
• Click “Create Account” and provide your details.
Begin taking the courses at your convenience.
The BizAid learning platform is open to all aspiring entrepreneurs and MSMEs across all sectors. However, to participate in the in-person workshops and business pitching competition, participants should:
- Own a registered business with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) or recognised State Cooperatives;
- Have been in operation for at least 2 years;
- Have basic digital skills and access to the internet (especially for online learning);
- Commit to completing all required modules, assessments and grant component of the programme.
No. One participant to one business.
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Phase 1: Virtual Training Delivered through DBN’s LMS: https://learning.devbankng.com • 11 curated courses focused on core MSME needs. • 4 core mandatory courses must be completed with at least 80% score each: - Accounting & Bookkeeping - Marketing & Sales Techniques - Sustainability for Small Businesses - Credit Management & Access to Finance Upon successful completion of each module, digital certificates will be awarded. |
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Phase 2: In-Person Workshop & Pitch Competition
• Top 600 performing MSMEs across the nation will be invited for the in-person workshops across 12 states of the nation. • 3-day in-person training includes: - Business plan refinement: Expert-led sessions to polish and strengthen your business plan, ensuring clarity, structure, and investor-readiness. - Peer mentorship & networking: Collaborate with fellow entrepreneurs, exchange ideas, and build partnerships that extend beyond the programme. - Investor-readiness sessions: Practical guidance on governance, finance, and sustainability to prepare your business for funding and scale. - Live pitch competition: Hands-on coaching to create powerful pitch decks and confidently present to panels of investors, partners, and judges. Top 180 finalists will pitch for grants and winners will share in a ₦100 million grant pool, with top positions securing up to ₦3 million to accelerate their growth and overall business development. |
No. To win grants, participants are required to qualify and attend the in-person workshops and be among the selected finalist to pitch to a three-member panel consisting of representative from DBN, the regional consultant and a representative from the focal state.
However, from participating in the programme, participants get the opportunity to interact and engage with our over 79 Participating Financial Institutions (PFIs), and they could access low-interest loans and advisory support from them.
| Regions | Cohort 1 | Cohort 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State | Timeline | State | Timeline | |
| South-East | Anambra | June 2026 | Imo | November 2026 |
| South-South | Edo | Akwa Ibom | ||
| South-West | Ondo | Lagos | ||
| North-East | Adamawa | Gombe | ||
| North-Central | Kwara | FCT | ||
| North-West | Kaduna | Kebbi | ||
Except for Lagos and the FCT, in-person workshop locations may change in subsequent editions. For each edition, 12 focal states are selected to host the workshops.
Please also note that participants are responsible for their own transportation to and from the training venues in the 12 states.
Yes. While the focal state will naturally have a higher number of participants, others from neighbouring states are also eligible to attend, provided they meet the specified criteria.
Yes. The Entrepreneurship Training Programme (ETP) is 100% free for all aspiring entrepreneurs and MSMEs, as it is fully sponsored by the Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN).
To deliver the programme nationwide, DBN collaborates with accredited Business Development Service Providers (BDSPs) and State Entrepreneurship Development Centres (EDCs).
• Opportunity to upskill through tailored, self-paced business and digital courses
• ₦100 million in grants available to 180 MSMEs through the national pitch competition
• ₦50 million in cash prizes, data bundles, and other incentives for top-performing learners during the virtual training phase
• Intensive in-person training, valuable networking opportunities, and post-programme support for all in-person participants
• Opportunity to become part of the DBN Academy Community
• Score 80% or higher in the 4 mandatory courses;
• Be among the top 600 performers based on quiz scores and final assessment;
• Be verified to meet eligibility criteria (2+ years in business, CAC or cooperative registration, etc.).
Finalists will be selected based on:
• Quality of submitted business plan and grant utilisation plan;
• Innovation and scalability;
• Financial model and clarity;
• Impact and sustainability;
• Presentation delivery during the pitch.
Participants who do not get selected still get to benefit from:
• Nationally recognised DBN training certificates
• Opportunity to join the DBN Academy Community and receive first-hand information about other capacity building programmes and grants under the Bank
• The 50 million Naira cash prizes and data bundles
• Improved business planning and operational skills
• You gain exclusive networking opportunities with DBN’s Partner Financial Institutions (PFIs), mentors, and policymakers.
• Continued access and support with state entrepreneurship centres and business consultants, which includes:
- Access to low-interest loans and grants
- Advisory services
- Future pitch competitions and market linkage programmes
There is actually another grant category which is the Sustainability Grant Award, where two participants (1 per cohort) with the most sustainable and environmentally-friendly solutions would win 500,000 Naira each.
• Visit our website: https://www.devbankng.com/training-programme
• Follow and chat the DBN WhatsApp Channel: DevBank
• Follow us on our social media channels
• Identify and reach out to our regional consultants, or focal state entrepreneurship centres.