There’s a popular saying in business circles: “You need money to make money.” And for many small business owners in Nigeria, accessing funding is often the biggest hurdle.
Whether you’re just launching your business or trying to scale operations with limited profit margins, securing the right kind of funding is critical. While bank loans, angel investments, and personal savings are common routes, one of the most attractive (and often overlooked) options is a small business grant.
What Are Small Business Grants?
Small business grants are funds awarded to entrepreneurs or businesses that typically don’t require repayment. These grants are offered by government bodies, nonprofit organizations, corporate foundations, and international agencies to help businesses grow, recover, or innovate.
While some grants come with conditions like detailed reporting or spending restrictions many allow you to use the funds however your business needs it most, from buying inventory to marketing or hiring staff.
In this article, we’ve compiled a list of active small business grants available in 2025 including some international programs that Nigerians can apply for and outlined how to access local support and funding options in Nigeria.
Top International Small Business Grants Nigerians Can Apply For
1. The Awesome Foundation
- Grant Size: $1,000 (monthly)
- Who Can Apply: Entrepreneurs worldwide with “awesome” ideas in community, art, or technology.
- No Strings Attached: Grants are awarded on a rolling basis and can be used freely.
2. The Freed Fellowship
- Grant Size: $500 monthly, plus chance to win $2,500 end-of-year grant
- Extras: Free virtual mentoring and access to a business community.
- Eligibility: Open to small businesses globally.
3. Faire Small Business Grant
- Grant Size: $5,000 in credit for retail stock
- Deadline: June 30, 2025
- Note: U.S.-based retail businesses only (but Nigerian importers can partner with eligible U.S. entities).
4. Skip Instant Grants
- Grant Size: $1,000
- Frequency: Weekly
- How to Apply: Download the Skip App and attend the live YouTube draw.
5. Secretsos Small Business Grant
- Grant Size: $2,500
- Frequency: Quarterly
- Eligibility: Available to entrepreneurs worldwide (application fee required).
6. Galaxy Grants
- Grant Size: $3,500
- Eligibility: Women and minority entrepreneurs globally
- Deadline: June 30, 2025
7. Cartier Women’s Initiative
- Grant Size: Up to $100,000
- Focus: Women-led businesses promoting social or environmental impact.
- Deadline: June 24, 2025
- Eligibility: Majority woman-owned, early-stage, for-profit businesses.
🇳🇬 Local Nigerian Grants & Support Channels
1. Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) Entrepreneurship Programme
- Grant Size: $5,000 in seed capital
- Extras: 12-week business training, mentoring, and access to TEFConnect platform.
- Eligibility: African entrepreneurs, including Nigerians, across all sectors.
- Frequency: Annual
2. YouWiN! Connect Nigeria
- Support Type: Business training, mentorship, and funding
- Organized By: Federal Ministry of Finance
- Eligibility: Nigerian entrepreneurs aged 18–40
3. Bank of Industry (BOI) Grants & Loans
- BOI supports Nigerian SMEs with low-interest loans and occasional grants for innovation, youth entrepreneurship, and rural business development.
4. LSETF (Lagos State Employment Trust Fund)
- Offers funding support, especially for Lagos-based businesses, in the form of grants and low-interest loans for youth-led and women-led ventures.
5. SMEDAN (Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria)
- SMEDAN provides business development services, grants (through partnerships), and facilitates access to government support programs for SMEs across Nigeria.
🆘 Emergency Grants for Business Recovery
1. Etsy Emergency Relief Fund
- Grant Size: $2,000
- Eligibility: Etsy sellers in disaster-hit areas (including eligible Nigerians)
- Supported by: CERF+
2. Small Business Readiness for Resiliency (SBRR)
- Offered by: U.S. Chamber of Commerce
- Focus: Preparing small businesses for natural disasters and helping them access FEMA grants.
🪖 Veteran & Women-Focused Grants
1. Hivers and Strivers
- Funding: $250,000–$1 million for veteran-owned businesses
- Note: May be open to veterans of U.S. armed forces (Nigerians serving abroad could be eligible)
2. HerRise MicroGrant
- Grant Size: $1,000 monthly
- Eligibility: Women entrepreneurs, including Black and minority women, earning under $1M annually.
3. The Big Idea Grant (YippityDoo)
- Grant Size: $1,000 monthly
- Extras: Access to coaching and mentorship
- Eligibility: Women in business or at idea stage.
🏛️ Government & Institutional Resources
Even if you don’t qualify for a grant, there are several platforms where Nigerian entrepreneurs can get guidance and business support:
🔹 Grants.gov
The official U.S. portal for over 1,000 federal grant programs, many of which are open to global applicants.
🔹 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
For tech startups and innovators looking to partner with U.S. agencies. Nigerian companies with a U.S. entity or academic collaboration can apply.
🔹 STEP – State Trade Expansion Program
Focuses on helping SMEs expand into foreign markets. Nigerian exporters may benefit from local counterparts partnering with U.S. trade missions.
🔹 MBDA (Minority Business Development Agency)
Primarily for U.S. minorities, but good to explore if you have a U.S. entity or partners.
Conclusion
Access to capital is a common challenge for Nigerian entrepreneurs, but small business grants both local and international offer a powerful opportunity to grow without the burden of repayment. Whether you’re just starting out, trying to recover from setbacks, or scaling a promising idea, make 2025 the year you explore and secure funding opportunities designed to uplift small businesses like yours.
🔔 Pro Tip: Set monthly reminders to check back on updated grant lists. Opportunities open and close quickly, and being prepared gives you a better shot.
