36 Young Entrepreneurs Gain Skills to Build Stronger Businesses

For 36 young entrepreneurs in Nigeria, building a successful business is no longer just about having a good idea.

It is also about knowing how to manage money, find the right customers, build a strong brand and convince investors to believe in the business.

These were the key lessons at the second edition of the Raising Young Entrepreneurs (RYE) Boot Camp, organised by the PanAfrican Capital Foundation (PAC Foundation) in Lagos.

The two-day programme, held on August 28 and 29, 2026, at the CitiHeight Hotel Conference Hall, brought together young business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs from different sectors for an intensive learning and networking experience.

Rather than focusing solely on theory, the boot camp exposed participants to practical aspects of running and growing a business in Nigeria’s competitive economic environment.

Through masterclasses, workshops, fireside conversations and networking sessions, participants explored how to develop an entrepreneurial mindset, identify business opportunities, manage finances, determine pricing and costing, strengthen branding and marketing, understand legal and regulatory requirements, and prepare their businesses for potential investors.

For many of the participants, the programme provided an opportunity to confront some of the challenges that can prevent promising businesses from moving to the next level.

PAC Foundation Executive Secretary, Omolola Ojo, said the initiative was designed to provide young entrepreneurs with the knowledge, skills and networks required to build businesses capable of surviving and growing over time.

She stressed the importance of partnerships in creating opportunities for young Nigerians to develop their ideas, strengthen their enterprises and contribute to economic growth.

A major feature of this year’s programme was the involvement of TGI Group, which served as the sponsoring partner for the 2026 cohort.

Representatives of the company participated directly in the boot camp, giving entrepreneurs the opportunity to interact with professionals and gain insights from the experience of an established business organisation.

The partnership reflects a growing recognition that young entrepreneurs need more than access to capital to succeed. They also require mentorship, business knowledge, market connections and the ability to make sound financial and strategic decisions.

PAC Foundation’s RYE initiative builds on its earlier work supporting young Nigerians with practical business knowledge. In previous editions, the foundation has emphasised financial management, marketing, customer acquisition and business planning as critical areas for entrepreneurs seeking to build sustainable enterprises.

The foundation said it intends to continue supporting young Nigerians as they transform innovative ideas into viable businesses and employment opportunities.

For the 36 entrepreneurs who participated in the latest boot camp, the experience offered more than two days of training. It provided a chance to rethink their business models, learn from people who have navigated the realities of entrepreneurship and build relationships that could help them take their ventures further.

As Nigeria continues to grapple with youth unemployment and the challenges confronting small businesses, initiatives that equip young entrepreneurs with practical skills could play an important role in creating businesses that not only survive but also generate jobs and contribute to the wider economy.