What Enterprise Development Centre, Pan-Atlantic University does

Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) is the Entrepreneurship Centre of Pan-Atlantic University, founded in 2003 (originally as the Centre for Enterprise Development Services) to address the lack of professional business development and capacity-building services for small and growing businesses in Nigeria. It is a private, non-profit educational institution operating under the governance of Pan-Atlantic University and the Christian values framework inspired by St. Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer, with headquarters in Ajah, Lagos and additional offices in Abuja and Kano.

EDC's core offering is a portfolio of cohort-based certificate programs covering the entrepreneur lifecycle: the flagship Certificate in Entrepreneurial Management (CEM) at ₦2,200,000, the Growth Enterprise Programme (GEP), Business Owners Strategy Session (BOSS) for medium-sized enterprises, Essential Management Skills (EMS) built on IFC's Business Edge methodology, plus vertical-specific programs — Healthcare Management Programme (HMP), School Leadership Programme (SLD), Social Enterprise Management (SEMP/SSM), and the BDSP Certification framework. Programs are delivered via blended learning combining in-person facilitation at Pan-Atlantic University campuses with the EDC Academy online platform and IVR technology for offline access, and supported by the SMEtoolkit business diagnostics platform and content co-developed with the Global Business School Network (GBSN), an IFC initiative.

EDC generates revenue through four primary streams: fee-based certificate programs (ranging from ₦750,000 for GEP to ₦2,200,000 for CEM), three-tier coworking memberships (Basic ₦150,000/month, Gold ₦400,000/month, Premium ₦1,000,000/month), customized corporate retreats and advisory engagements, and partnership/sponsorship revenue from corporate and foundation partners (Mastercard Foundation, MTN Nigeria, Providus Bank, Stanbic IBTC, Nestlé, PharmAccess Foundation). The organization has trained 80,000+ SMEs cumulatively and built a 500,000+ community member alumni ecosystem across five regional hubs, with major active partnership initiatives including the Mastercard Foundation's Transforming Nigerian Youths program (200,000 MSME target, 141,000+ women trained by mid-2024) and the MTN SME Data Bundle program launched August 2022.

Name

Enterprise Development Centre, Pan-Atlantic University

Legal name

Enterprise Development Centre (EDC), Pan-Atlantic University

Website

https://edc.edu.ng

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) is the Entrepreneurship Centre of Pan-Atlantic University, founded in 2003 to deliver capacity-building certificate programs, coworking, and corporate advisory services to Nigerian SMEs, MSMEs, and entrepreneurs across healthcare, education, and social enterprise verticals via blended learning and corporate partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Entrepreneurship Education and SME Training Services

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Business Schools and Computer and Management Training (6114), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Education Access & EdTech for Equity (Low-cost Learning, Skills Platforms) (BPAGALAH)

Keywords

• Entrepreneurship education
• SME capacity building
• Business management training
• Entrepreneurship certificate programs
• Coworking workspace

Headquarters

HQ city

Lagos

HQ country

Nigeria

HQ region

Africa

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Certificate and Training Programme Fees: EDC generates primary revenue from fee-based certificate programs including Certificate in Entrepreneurial Management (CEM), Growth Enterprise Programme (GEP), Business Owners Strategy Session (BOSS), Essential Management Skills (EMS), Healthcare Management Programme (HMP), School Leadership Programme (SLD), Social Sector Management (SSM/ SEMP), and BDSP Certification. Programs are priced at ₦750,000 (GEP), ₦900,000 (HMP), ₦2,200,000 (CEM), and others, with installment payment options available.
2. Coworking Space Memberships: Flexible workspace revenue from three-tier membership plans: Basic (₦150,000/month), Gold (₦400,000/month), Premium (₦1,000,000/month), with daily rates also available. Includes daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly membership terms, with special discounts for EDC alumni and youth entrepreneurs.
3. Customized Corporate Advisory and Retreat Services: Bespoke advisory services and corporate retreats for organizations seeking leadership development, team performance improvement, and strategic planning. Sessions are tailored to address organizational goals and challenges.
4. Partnership and Sponsorship Revenue: Revenue derived from corporate partnerships (MTN, Providus Bank, Stanbic IBTC, Mastercard Foundation, Nestle) where partners fund or co-fund SME training programs, often with EDC as the implementing capacity-building partner.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) is the Entrepreneurship Centre of Pan-Atlantic University, founded in 2003, that delivers fee-based certificate and training programmes (CEM, BOSS, GEP, EMS, HMP, SLD, SEMP, BDSP, TNY) and corporate advisory services for Nigerian SMEs, entrepreneurs, and sector-specific professionals (healthcare, education, social enterprise). It complements training with a tiered coworking workspace (Basic, Gold, Premium), an EDC Academy online learning platform, the SMEtoolkit diagnostics platform, IVR-enabled offline learning, and sponsored/co-funded programmes through partners such as Mastercard Foundation, MTN Nigeria, Providus Bank, Stanbic IBTC, and Nestle.

Product overview

The Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) is the Entrepreneurship Centre of Pan-Atlantic University, founded in 2003 as a response to the lack of professional business development services for small and growing businesses in Nigeria. EDC offers a portfolio of core educational programs and services designed for entrepreneurs, business owners, and SMEs at various stages of growth. The flagship programs include the Certificate in Entrepreneurial Management (CEM), Business Owners Strategy Session (BOSS), Growth Enterprise Programme (GEP), and Essential Management Skills (EMS), which together provide a continuum from foundational entrepreneurship education to advanced business strategy. Specialized programs address specific sectors including the Healthcare Management Programme (HMP), Social Sector Management (SSM), School Leadership Programme (SLD), and the Transforming Nigerian Youths (TNY) initiative. EDC also operates a Coworking Program providing flexible workspaces, and offers corporate retreats and advisory services. The centre delivers programs through strategic partnerships with organizations including Providus Bank, MTN Nigeria, Mastercard Foundation, Nestlé, and Stanbic IBTC. The portfolio includes both in-person/blended formats and online learning via the EDC Academy, with accessibility enhanced through IVR technology for offline learning. The EDC Alumni Association provides ongoing community and networking for program graduates across 5 regional hubs in Nigeria.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Certificate in Entrepreneurial Management (CEM) A 25-day hands-on certificate programme delivered over 4 months for owners of existing enterprises, management team members, and those undergoing succession planning; developed with the Global Business School Network (GBSN), an IFC initiative, with locally adapted case studies.
• Business Owners Strategy Session (BOSS) A 5-month blended learning programme (in-class, online facilitator-led sessions, and business visits) for medium-sized business owners and their executive management teams, covering strategy, governance, innovation, design thinking, international marketing, investment readiness, ESG, franchising, and data analytics.
• Growth Enterprise Programme (GEP) A high-impact business accelerator for startups and early-stage businesses combining expert-led learning, mentorship, business development tools, international faculty access, Global Entrepreneurship Congress (GEC) exposure, and access to the SMEtoolkit platform; includes pitch opportunities for grant funding.
• Essential Management Skills (EMS) A practical, activity-based training programme using IFC's Business Edge methodology combined with EDC modules covering Sales, Finance, Operations, Customer Service, and Personnel Management to equip line managers and team leaders of SMEs.
• Transforming Nigerian Youths (TNY) A youth and women empowerment programme under the Mastercard Foundation Young Africa Works partnership that builds capacity of Nigerian MSMEs with focus on agriculture and creative sectors, delivered via online learning platform and IVR (Interactive Voice Response) technology for offline access; targets 200,000 MSMEs with 80% expected to create new work opportunities.
• Business Development Service Providers (BDSP) Certification A 5-day intensive virtual training programme designed to certify Business Development Service Providers (BDSPs) in Nigeria, standardizing service quality and ensuring professionalism and consistency in MSME service delivery through diagnostic tools, facilitation skills, and advisory competencies.
• Healthcare Management Programme (HMP) A 21-day blended certificate programme developed in partnership with PharmAccess Foundation to build the capacity of healthcare professionals (medical doctors, pharmacists, HMOs, medical lab scientists, technicians, dentists, nurses, regulators, and health industry executives) in quality delivery, operations management, financial management, and business sustainability.
• Social Sector Management (SSM) / Social Enterprise Management Programme (SEMP) A certificate programme for NGOs, social entrepreneurs, and not-for-profit organizations, covering 13 modules including leadership, proposal writing, project management, fundraising, financial management, and legal/regulatory aspects for social enterprises in health, environment, and education.
• School Leadership Programme (SLD) School Leadership Development programme initiated by APEN (Association of Private Educators of Nigeria) in collaboration with EDC, designed to build and enhance capacity of Nigerian school leaders and owners through instructional leadership, business management training, and an international internship component.
• EDC Coworking Program A flexible, affordable innovation-friendly shared workspace initiative at Pan-Atlantic University Lekki Campus offering three membership tiers (Basic ₦150,000/month, Gold ₦400,000/month, Premium ₦1,000,000/month) with hot-desking, meeting rooms, boardrooms, business advisory, mentorship, and pitch preparation facilities; daily and quarterly terms available with alumni/youth discounts.
• EDC Academy Online Certificate in Marketing A fully virtual certificate programme in marketing for entrepreneurs, small business owners, and professionals seeking practical brand strategy, digital marketing, customer acquisition, and market positioning skills, delivered online at participants' own pace via the EDC Academy (edclearn.com).
• Advisory Services Enterprise-wide performance transformation advisory services that help SMEs turn strategy into reality through continuous improvement initiatives.
• Corporate Retreats Tailored company retreats combining executive coaching, strategy development, and team-building experiences to help organizations realign objectives, enhance collaboration, and develop actionable roadmaps.
• Network Meetings Networking events and platforms enabling entrepreneurs to share information, experiences, and make valuable business contacts.
• EDC Alumni Association An ongoing network and association of graduates from EDC certificate programmes providing continuous learning, networking opportunities, business support services, mentorship, study trips, and regional hub connections across Nigeria (Oyo, Enugu, Lagos, Rivers, Abuja).

Quantifiable outcome

• 80,000+ SMEs trained
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments9 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• MTN NigeriacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2022MTN SME Data Bundle Program launched August 2022, partnering with EDC, SMEDAN, and FATE Foundation to provide SMEs with affordable data plans (from ₦200) and access to the SME Digital Academy with free developmental content, tools, templates, and training in business management and digital skills. MTN leverages telecom infrastructure to bridge knowledge gaps for entrepreneurs while supporting Nigeria's digital economy.
• Mastercard FoundationflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Transforming Nigerian Youths (TNY) Program under Young Africa Works strategy. A flagship multi-year partnership supporting young Nigerian entrepreneurs aged 18-35, particularly women. Targets 200,000 MSMEs with 80% expected to create new work opportunities. EDC delivers training in business planning, financial management, marketing, and digital skills alongside mentorship and market linkages. As of mid-2024, over 141,000 women trained. Now in its fifth year (announced July 2024). Features IVR technology for offline access supporting marginalized communities.
• Providus BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvidus Bank SME Program designed to build capacity of Nigerian SME owners with tools, skills, and resources for growth and profitability. Multi-phase approach: Phase 1 broad capacity building for ~500 SMEs; Phase 2 intensive support for ~50 top performers; Phase 3 customized enterprise development for ~15 elite businesses. Organized in cohorts (Cohort 4 in 2024, Cohort 5 in 2025). Includes workshops, mentorship, SMEtoolkit access, and networking.
• Stanbic IBTC BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStanbic IBTC Enterprise Online Training partnership targets SMEs to equip them with essential business skills for profitability, viable business proposals, fund maximization, and easier access to finance. Includes online training modules covering business planning, operations, and financial management with one-on-one advisory sessions. Over 3,500 SMEs trained with more than 350 receiving personalized support.
• Nestle NigeriaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGolden Morn Agripreneurship Webinar Series in collaboration with EDC. Focuses on boosting youth participation in Nigeria's agricultural sector, specifically grains value chain. Provides training on agricultural value chain, mentorship, and seedlings, with top performers receiving grants to scale their businesses. Enhances local sourcing from 100% locally sourced grains (Golden Morn brand) and fosters sustainable farming aligned with Nestle's sustainability goals.
• PharmAccess FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare Management Programme (HMP) developed via partnership between EDC and PharmAccess Foundation. Certificate program building capacity of healthcare professionals in quality delivery, operations, finance, and business management. Addresses business capacity gap among healthcare professionals in Africa. Program runs 21 days in blended modular format over 3 months for ₦900,000.
• SMEDANminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSmall and Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) partners with EDC and MTN to offer SME Digital Academy resources and certification as part of the MTN SME Data Bundle Program. Provides certificates that boost professional standing for participants.
• FATE FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFATE Foundation partners with EDC and MTN in the SME Data Bundle Program, providing tools and resources to help sustain businesses in competitive markets alongside EDC's training platform.
• APEN (Association of Private Educators of Nigeria)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSchool Leadership Development (SLD) programme is an initiative of APEN in collaboration with EDC. Designed to address challenges school owners face in assigning leadership and management responsibilities to indigenous school leaders. Structured over one year with 6-month in-class training, 4-week international internship, and year-long retreat.
• KPMG NigeriaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative publication of the EDC-KPMG Nigeria MSME Banking Study 2014 titled 'Strengthening access to finance for MSMEs in Nigeria.' Premier edition examining MSME access to finance challenges.
• Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEDC-DBN Report 2018 examining access to finance challenges for MSMEs and emerging corporates despite available funds and interventions. Research aims to understand barriers and solutions for increasing access.
• OXFAM NigeriaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple collaborative research publications including OXFAM- Nigeria MSME Circularity Survey 2021, circular economy series (2021-2022), Re-thinking Business Models for MSMEs 2023, Inclusive & Equitable Entrepreneurship Programming 2024, and Safeguarding: Implications for Entrepreneurship Development.
• Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre (NCIC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on Green Economy Ecosystem Mapping Report 2021 - first in ecosystem mapping series covering Renewable Energy, Smart Agriculture, Water Solutions, and Waste Management. Also collaborated on Identifying Impact Areas for Digital Solutions report examining digital tools for circular economy practices across Africa (Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Cote d'Ivoire) supported by IDRC.
• etranzact plcminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-hosted the AI Readiness of Nigerian SMEs Report Launch and Press Conference in August 2025.
• GEN Nigeria (Global Entrepreneurship Network)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerEDC serves as local ecosystem partner for GEN Nigeria. Collaborates on Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) Nigeria celebrations and other entrepreneurship ecosystem events.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• FATE Foundation: FATE Foundation is a Lagos-based nonprofit founded in 2000 that runs entrepreneurship training, mentoring, and incubation programs for Nigerian SMEs and aspiring entrepreneurs. It is one of EDC's closest direct peers in Nigeria, delivering comparable cohort-based capacity-building programs with similar donor/partnership structures (Aspiring Entrepreneurs Programme, SME Programme).
• African Management Initiative (AMI): AMI is a pan-African social enterprise delivering management and leadership training to African SMEs and managers through blended online and in-person programs. It is directly comparable to EDC's EMS/CEM offerings, with similar GBSN/IFC-aligned curriculum heritage and a multi-country African footprint that could compete with EDC's potential expansion.
• Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF): TEF is a pan-African philanthropy funding entrepreneurship through its $100M TEF Entrepreneurship Programme, which combines training, mentorship, and seed capital for African entrepreneurs. It is the most prominent comparable platform to EDC's TNY/Mastercard program, targeting similar MSME segments across Africa with donor-funded scale.
• GrowthAfrica: GrowthAfrica runs accelerator and SME growth programs across East and Southern Africa, combining business advisory, mentorship, and investor readiness support. It is comparable to EDC's GEP and BOSS programs in serving growth-stage SMEs with structured capacity-building and access to capital.
• Junior Achievement Nigeria: Junior Achievement Nigeria delivers entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and work-readiness programs to Nigerian youth and emerging entrepreneurs through school and community programs. It is directly comparable to EDC's early-stage and youth-focused segments (TNY, aspiring entrepreneur programs) with a similar nonprofit, donor-supported model.

Regional players

• Sinapis: Sinapis is a Kenya-anchored accelerator and entrepreneur training organization that combines business training, mentorship, and capital readiness for African SMEs. It is a regional peer with a comparable blended learning and partnership-funded model focused on faith-driven entrepreneurs, similar to EDC's values-based positioning.
• Enterprise Development Centre, Strathmore University: The Strathmore Enterprise Development Centre in Kenya is structurally identical to EDC: a university-anchored entrepreneurship centre delivering certificate programs, advisory, and incubation for East African SMEs. It is a regional peer using a similar university-affiliated, partner-funded model and competes in adjacent geography rather than Nigeria.

Others

• SMEDAN (Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria): SMEDAN is the federal government agency mandated to promote MSME development in Nigeria and is an active EDC partner on the MTN SME Data Bundle program. It is an ecosystem participant rather than a direct competitor, but it shapes the policy and funding environment for EDC's target customer segments.

Emerging players

• Co-Creation Hub (CcHUB): CcHUB is Nigeria's leading technology and innovation hub, running incubation, acceleration, and capacity-building programs for Nigerian startups. It overlaps with EDC's GEP and TNY programs in serving early-stage Nigerian entrepreneurs but emphasizes tech-enabled ventures rather than general MSME capacity building.

Broad incumbents

• Lagos Business School (Pan-Atlantic University): Lagos Business School is the graduate business school of Pan-Atlantic University (EDC's parent university), offering MBA and executive education programs. It is a broad incumbent in the same Nigerian business education space, with overlapping corporate and SME training audiences but a wider portfolio beyond EDC's MSME-focused mandate.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@enterprisedevelopmentcentr885
• Facebookfacebook.com/EDC4SMEs
• Instagraminstagram.com/enterprisedevelopmentcentre
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/edc-pan-atlantic-university

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Enterprise Development Centre, Pan-Atlantic University