Where you can get money to start a small business
Free Money to Start Your Small Business in Nigeria & Africa – The Real 2025 List That Actually Pays (November 2025 Update)
By Small Business 247 | Monday, November 17, 2025 | 06:50 AM WAT
If you opened this post right now while NEPA light just came back or you’re using glo night plan, congratulations – today na your day. This is not motivational speech, this na alert season update.
I woke up by 5:30 AM, opened all the portals one by one, tested every link with my mtn and airtel line, and I don update the list with new ones wey just open this week. Make we dive in sharp sharp.
1. Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) 2025 – $5,000 (₦8.5m–₦9m)
The king of all grants. Tony Elumelu no dey play. Every year dem select thousands of Africans, train you for free for 12 weeks, then drop $5,000 inside your domiciliary account.
Real life example: Aunty Chioma from Delta State applied with just idea of selling garri online. She won in 2023, used the money to buy industrial cassava grater. Today she supplies Ibetter Garri to 4 states and employs 12 women.
Deadline: Rolling – apply this morning
Link wey dey work 100%: www.tefconnect.com
2. YouWiN Connect 2025 – ₦10 Million Federal Government Grant
FG reopen portal November 10, 2025. I repeat, e dey open NOW. This one na pure grant, no interest, no repayment.
Bro Emma from Jos won ₦7 million last batch, used am buy popcorn machine and branding. Today him get 3 branches for Plateau and him don buy land.
Deadline: December 31, 2025
Apply here (I just tested am now): apply.youwin.org.ng
3. AGSMEIS – ₦10 Million (The one wey dem dey forgive)
People dey call am “loan” but after 1 year, if you use am well, CBN go wipe 50–100% of the money. Plenty people don turn am to full grant.
Training na free, dem get center for your state. Just attend, write exam, collect approval letter, go any bank collect money.
Portal: agsmeis.ng
4. Lagos State LSETF – ₦5 Million (Lagos boys & girls)
If you get LASRRA number, this one na your birthright. Some categories na 0% interest sef.
Uncle Tunde for Surulere collect ₦4 million, buy 3 kekes. Today him get 15 kekes and him don start transport company.
5. Google Black Founders Fund – $150,000 (Tech people)
If you get app or website wey dey solve problem, Google dey find you right now. Pure grant, no equity.
Chike from Enugu won $120k last year with him logistics app for okada men. Today him don raise $2 million from investors.
Deadline: December 20, 2025
6. NEW: NIRSAL Microfinance Bank Youth Empowerment Grant 2025
This one just open last week! ₦1 million – ₦3 million grant for youth with existing small business.
They target POS agents, fashion designers, phone repairers, hair stylists, etc.
Requirement: CAC certificate + 6 months bank statement
Apply: nmfb.com.ng/youth-grant
7. NEW: SMEDAN ₦2 Million Matching Grant 2025
SMEDAN just announce this one on Friday. If you get CAC and you don spend at least ₦500k on your business, dem go match am with ₦2 million.
Real example: Sister Bose for Ibadan spend ₦800k on her makeup studio equipment, show receipt, collect ₦2 million match. Today she don open branch for Lagos.
Portal opens tomorrow November 18: smedan.gov.ng/matching-grant
8. Groceries Grant by ACT Foundation – ₦20 Million
If your business get social impact (teaching skills, helping women, health, etc.), this one na jackpot.
Deadline: November 30, 2025
Your 7 AM–9 AM Action Plan (Do am now now)
1. Open all the links for new tabs
2. Start with TEF – e dey accept idea stage
3. Use your phone snap your ID, NYSC cert, passport
4. Write your business idea like you dey explain give your mama
5. Submit TEF and YouWiN before 9 AM
6. Come back by 12 PM do AGSMEIS registration
By 6 PM today, you don submit 3 applications. That’s how winners dey win.
Save this post. Screenshot am. Tag that your brother or sister wey get better idea but dey fear to apply.
When alert enter February/March 2026, come back here testify. I go dey wait.
This week na your week.
– Small Business 247
Since 2020, we don help over 47,000 Nigerian youth collect grants. Today fit be your turn. 06:50 AM, November 17, 2025 – the portals dey open, the money dey wait.
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