The World Bank and the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID) in conjunction with the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment (FMTI) in Nigeria created a $160 million dollars grant (from world bank) and £90 million pounds grant (from DFID) in 2013 to be disbursed to businesses in Nigeria through a program called Growth and Employment (GEM) to enable startups experience real growth and provide employment in the country.
These grants are expected to help accelerate economic diversification, increase overall competitiveness, promote investment, and sustainably increase the number of direct jobs for Nigerians by at least 100,000.
See Also: How To Get Seed Funding For Your Small Business In Africa
The grant is available only to businesses operating in the five industries below:
- Construction
- Entertainment
- Hospitality & Tourism
- Information Communication Technology
- Manufacturing
If your business does not fall into any of the categories above, you may not be able to apply for a grant.
While this program was founded on the 29th of July, 2013, it will end in September 2018. So to ensure you are one of the registered businesses to benefit from it before it closes, click here to visit the website and learn more.
If you have issues registering, the steps for registration are listed below:
Registrations Steps for GEM
- Click on the APPLY button
- Fill the basic registration form
- Check your email and click/copy and paste the activation link
- Change your password and login
- Fill the online Technical Assistance application form
- Save and submit once completed.
- Finally, check your email for confirmation
See Also: Will You Be Part Of The 1,000 African Entrepreneurs To Each Get $5,000 In 2018?
What Is The Criteria To Be Eligible To Apply For The GEM Grant?
- Be a Nigerian 18 years and older
- Operate a registered firm in Nigeria
- Operate in one of the five GEM supported clusters
- Employee less than 100 employees
- Apply Online
How Much Grant Can You Get From GEM?
Depending on the category you fall into, the grant sum ranges from $10,000 to $250,000 per business. You can visit this link to learn more about the grants.
See Also: 9 Business Ideas That Will Create New African Millionaires In 2018
What Is The GEM Selection Process?
The winners of the grants are selected through a professional selection process, where Price Waterhouse Cooper (PWC) is the grant administrator and KPMG is the monitoring and control body for the GEM project.
You can learn more about the GEM project by visiting the Business Innovation Growth (BIG) portal which is where the online application for the grant happens.
What are your thoughts on the GEM grant that will be given to Nigerian entrepreneurs in 2018? Let me know by leaving a comment below.
hi, I am Oluwadun I want to apply for $10,000 to start my farmer project in Nigeria I want to plants casava rice maize and yams but I don’t have money to start my farmer, please consider me get money in your company by the grace of God I will return your money back please reply me back,
Please visit their webpage to know eligibility.
Thank you.
Good job you are doing by creating awareness for the business owners both existing and prospective ones in the area fund raising. I applied for 2018 Tony Elemelu Foundation Grant, this was possible through awareness created by you.
Please I have a registered business name, started operating wholesale of soft drinks, recharge vouchers printing and sales and renting of chairs, tables and others but because of my health challenges I stopped operation. I started operation from home and at the same putting up my business place in front of my personal residential place.
My questions are; (a) can I apply for the grant?, (b) what do I need to do as demanded law? and which of the industry do my type of business fall into? I need your advice.
Thanks
Hi Lawrence,
Thank you for the kind words.
Regarding your question, I’d advise you call the customer care line on their website to know the best line of action for you to take.
Thank you for asking.
Can’t find the apply button any where.
Please follow the link below to the website:
>>> https://bigportal.org.ng
Thank you.
thanks for the great work you are doing. pls what the name of the site
Please click the link in the article to register.
Thank you.
Am very interested in the program you introduce
Nice one Mr Stan
You’re welcome, Rex.
Dear Stan, thanks for the QUALITY of your publications (in information and in print; just great). I know with contributions of people like you NIGERIA and Africa will get there someday.
Please let me know how to contact you for a business plan and feasibility report. My email: [email protected]
Thank you for the kind words, Barry.
Please send an email to [email protected]
Do have a great time.
Great day Mr Stanley, it seems most of us are not illegible, you ought to have already existing business/company and dully registered with CAC with enough employers, Stanley what is our own faith some of us looking for start up capital. kudo, more power to your elbow
Hi Valentine,
I’d advise you call their customer care line to find out more information.
But every week I’ll post one article about a funding opportunity.
Do look out for them.
Thank you.
Good morning Stan,
Thank you for all your newsletters. They are really helping me in planning my startup.
However, i need your advice on how to source fund for start up. i am working on starting up a unique creche and fund has been a limiting factor. any advice?
Hope to read from you soon
Cheers.
Hi Elixir,
Thank you for reading the newsletters.
I suggest you first try to raise funds from family and friends before approaching financial institutions for more funding, as it would mean you’ve successfully built a financial track record that shows you can actually do great with the funds you get from them.
Thank you for asking.
Good morning to you this morning Stan.
I have read the you sent on grant interest. Yes I really need that. But, I would rather apply through your play form. I seem to have more confidence in getting this grant through your play form.
I am fully aware of this project since last year but wasn’t making up my mind on it you ‘know’.
But now my mind is fixed. I need it and will love to apply for it through the canvas of your platform. So, I will like for you to give the procedural requirements to get this grant.
I have a business which I am growing. An engineering consulting and a construction firm. She is just 5years old now. I truly want to see her do fabulously well. Do you see why I need the grant?
Thanks in anticipation Stan.
You doing great.
Hi Olutoye,
I’m not aware of what play form you’re referring to.
Sorry please there were lots of typographical errors. I meant platform and not play form.
But nevertheless, that’s not a problem anymore.
I have my questions answered.
Thanks still.
Okay, thank you Olutoye.
good morning Mr. Stand, Please I have a business but not registered, can i still apply for the grant?
Please call their customer service line to verify everything.
Thank you.
Good evening Stan. Please I want to introduce a senior friend of mine to your portal. “Start up tips.” His email is [email protected] please kindly get in touch with him.
Please am finding it difficult to register. Server Error in ‘/’ Application. and so many other write up. please how do i register.
Good afternoon. I understand GEM is presently carrying on Survey about some firms, do you know the next step after this?
Who has experienced this before and how long does it take?
Please sir,I want to confirm if the registration is till going bcos I have registered for months but yet to receive my username & password.. Pls what next should I do.
Please contact their customer service lines for more information.
Thank you for asking.
Hello Stan,
Great work you’re doing. Must confess that you’ve been a blessing to me and many others.
I’ve been disconnected from your post since my ndroid was stolen. Please kindly connect me back on platform.
Many Thanks.
Israel Bassey
Thanks pls am have wait you see,pls am wait you