'Apply with the link' - FG releases application portal for grants, loans for petty businesses, others

The Nigerian government has issued an application portal for its Presidential Conditional Grant for Nano Businesses under the Presidential Palliative Programme.

The initiative offers a grant of N50,000 per beneficiary to support one million small businesses in all the 774 local government areas in the country.

FG sets criteria for loan and grant eligibility

The Federal Government will partner with state governments, ministers, NASMEs, Senators, and Rep members, using specific selection criteria to shortlist beneficiaries, with 70% given to women and youth-owned businesses, 10% to people with disabilities, and 5% to senior citizens, and the remaining 15% allocated to other groups.

In a previous report by Legit.ng, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Doris Uzok-Anite, revealed that the Nigerian government aims to release about N150 billion for nano businesses and the manufacturing sector.

Vanguard reported that the minister said the scheme consists of the Presidential Conditional Grant Programme and the Presidential Palliative Loan Programme targeted at SMEs, MSMEs, and other businesses.

The statement said: “In the Presidential Conditional Grant Programme, the Federal Government will disburse a grant sum of N50,000 to nano businesses across the 774 local government areas.”

“Eligible nano business beneficiaries should be willing to provide proof of residential/business address in their local government area and provide relevant personal and bank account information, including Bank Verification Number for identity verification.”

Targeted groups for the scheme

The sectors targeted by the scheme include traders, food services, business centre operators, battery chargers, recharge card sellers, and call centre operators.

Others include wheelbarrow pushers, independent dispatch riders, makeup artists, fashion designers, dry cleaners, vulcanizers, shoemakers, and painters.

Eligible businesses should apply using this link.