About YOUWIN

Youth Enterprise with Innovation in Nigeria

YouWiN! (Youth Enterprise with Innovation in Nigeria) was introduced by the Federal Government of Nigeria in 2011 as a strategic intervention to promote youth entrepreneurship, stimulate enterprise development, and create sustainable jobs across the country. Domiciled within the Federal Ministry of Finance, its initial phase centered on the YouWiN! Business Plan Competition (BPC), a nationwide competitive initiative designed to identify and support promising young entrepreneurs with innovative business ideas and high-growth potential. The Business Plan Competition was open to Nigerian citizens with viable new business ventures or expansion plans capable of generating employment. Through a rigorous, merit-based selection process, the initiative produced approximately 5,000 successful beneficiaries nationwide. Successful participants received grants ranging from ₦1 million (approximately US$6,400) to ₦10 million (approximately US$64,500) to establish or expand their businesses. Beyond financial support, beneficiaries also received structured entrepreneurship training, business mentorship, and continuous monitoring to strengthen enterprise sustainability, improve business performance, and maximize job creation outcomes. In August 2016, the initiative was restructured and rebranded as YouWiN! Connect, shifting its emphasis from direct grant financing to entrepreneurship education, business development services, and the development of enterprise and franchise ecosystems to equip a broader pool of young Nigerians with the skills, knowledge, and networks required to start and grow successful businesses. Today, under the Renewed Hope Agenda, the program continues to advance youth enterprise development through entrepreneurship education, the distribution of business and entrepreneurial resource materials, and the implementation of an aquaculture franchise development initiative operating across six regional hubs nationwide. These interventions are designed to expand opportunities for youth-led enterprise, strengthen value chains, and contribute to sustainable job creation and inclusive economic growth.