01Three months of Canva Business
Free for eligible, selected participants. Brand Kit, premium templates, AI tools and team collaboration in one place.
Lagos hustle, beautifully designed.
5,000 Lagos MSMEsOne programme. Three months. Real skills.
Canva and the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund are giving Lagos businesses the tools, training and templates to market like the big brands.
The partnership
Canva and LSETF are backing 5,000 Lagos micro, small and medium businesses with professional design tools, practical training and ongoing support, so every tailor, caterer, vendor and founder can show up like a brand.
5,000Lagos MSMEs supported
3 monthsof free Canva Business for eligible, selected participants
Great products deserve great presentation. The programme pairs Canva Business with regular hands-on sessions, certificates and a library of ready-to-edit business templates.
Kick-off: 30 October 2026
Welcome and Canva Basics, the first live session of the programme.
View training sessions
What you get
Everything your business needs to look the part
Design tools, live training, certificates and templates, built around the everyday marketing jobs of a Lagos business.
Apply for the programme02Training every two weeks
Four or more practical sessions over three months, built on real business tasks, from your first flyer to a full marketing campaign.
03A joint LSETF and Canva certificate
Join each session live for at least 30 minutes for it to count. Attend at least three of the four, use Canva for your business, and produce three business outputs to earn it.
04Templates, resources and support
Social posts, flyers, menus, price lists, proposals and pitch decks, ready to customize, plus guides and programme support.
Canva Business access is not automatic. It is offered to the 5,000 applicants who meet the eligibility criteria and are selected into the programme.
Your journey
Seven steps from discovery to growth
Discover
Find out what the programme offers and whether it fits your business.
Apply
Complete the LSETF application form with your business details.
Get selected
LSETF screens and scores applications, then notifies the 5,000 selected businesses by 26 October.
Activate Canva Business
Selected participants receive an invitation to switch on three months of free access.
Learn
Join regular live sessions and earn certificates as you go.
Create
Use templates to produce flyers, menus, price lists, proposals and social content.
Grow
Put your new brand to work: reach more customers and win more business.
Who can apply
Six boxes to tick
You must meet all six. Formal business registration is preferred but not mandatory. One application per business.
An active Lagos business
Operating in Lagos State and trading for at least six months.
Owner or founder, 18 or older
The application must come from the person who owns or founded the business.
Fewer than 200 staff
Nano, micro, small and medium-sized businesses all qualify.
A phone or laptop and internet
Regular access is enough. You do not need to own one.
An active email address
Your Canva Business account is activated by email.
Free for the training
Sessions run every two weeks for three months. You commit to attending.
Documents you will need
Four registrations are checked at application. If your LIRS or LASHMA application is still in progress, proof of application is accepted, and the final number is needed before your certificate. Free help with LASSRA, LIRS and LASHMA registration is available.
LASSRALagos State Residents RegistrationRegistration number or card
LIRSLagos State Internal Revenue ServiceTax ID or a recent tax receipt
LASHMAIlera Eko health schemeEnrolment number or card
NINNational Identification NumberValid ID for the business owner
Key dates
From application to kick-off in three weeks
Applications open
Online form, with assisted sign-up through associations and LGA business desks.
Screening and scoring
Eligibility check, de-duplication by NIN, phone and email, then scoring. A 10% sample is verified by phone.
Results
Selected businesses are notified and sign a short commitment. A reserve list of 500 is notified separately.
Accounts set up
Canva receives the list and issues Canva Business codes for activation.
Kick-off session
Welcome and Canva Basics, the first of the live training sessions.
How selection works
Every application is scored out of 100
If more than 5,000 eligible businesses apply, the top 5,000 scores are selected, subject to the inclusion targets. Every decision traces to a recorded score.
25 pointsBusiness need for design and marketing
Sells to customers directly or online, with a clear use for branding, flyers, invoices or social media content.
20 pointsCommitment
A clear statement of what you want to produce, and confirmed availability for the sessions.
15 pointsBusiness activity
Revenue-generating, with staff or plans to hire.
15 pointsInclusion
Women-owned, youth-led (18 to 35) or owned by a person with disability.
15 pointsLSETF ecosystem
Previous LSETF beneficiary, loan applicant or programme alumnus.
10 pointsSpread
Under-represented Local Government Area or sector in the applicant pool.
Inclusion targets
The final 5,000 will reflect Lagos
Selection is adjusted to meet these minimums. A reserve list of 500 ranked applicants replaces withdrawals or no-shows in the first three weeks of training.
0%women-owned businesses, at least
0%youth-led businesses, at least
0%owned by persons with disability, at least
0Lagos LGAs represented, across trade, food and agro, fashion and beauty, creative, services and manufacturing
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Everything prospective applicants and selected businesses need to know.
Questions or complaints? Email the programme support team
Tap the address to open your email app, or copy it. Include your full name, business name and the phone number you applied with so the team can find your application. Replies come within a few working days.
About the programme
A programme that helps 5,000 eligible Lagos-based micro, small and medium-sized businesses strengthen their branding, marketing and digital skills through free access to Canva Business and practical training.
- Three months of free Canva Business access.
- Four or more training sessions over three months.
- Support to create practical business materials such as branding assets, flyers, presentations and social media content.
- A joint LSETF and Canva certificate if you complete the programme requirements.
Yes. Selected participants receive three months of Canva Business access and all training at no cost.
Who can apply
- Operate an active business in Lagos State that has been trading for at least six months.
- Be the business owner or founder and at least 18 years old.
- Run a nano, micro, small or medium-sized business with fewer than 200 staff.
- Have regular access to a smartphone or laptop and the internet.
- Have an active email address.
- Be available for the mandatory training sessions.
Formal business registration is preferred but not mandatory.
Yes. Applicants must provide:
- LASSRA: a valid registration number or card.
- LIRS: a Tax ID or recent tax receipt.
- LASHMA (Ilera Eko): an enrolment number or card.
- NIN: valid identification for the business owner.
For LIRS and LASHMA, proof that an application is in progress can be accepted initially. The final registration number must be submitted before you receive a completion certificate. If you need help with LASSRA, LIRS or LASHMA registration, you can be assisted to register at no cost.
No. Formal registration is preferred but not compulsory. You must, however, show that your business is active and has been trading for at least six months.
Yes. The programme exists to help businesses build their design and digital marketing capabilities. In your application, explain how you intend to use Canva to support your business.
Applications and selection
5,000 businesses, plus a reserve list of 500. If eligible applications exceed the available places, applicants are scored and ranked against the published selection criteria.
Eligible applications are scored out of 100: business need for design and marketing (25), commitment (20), business activity (15), inclusion (15), connection to the LSETF ecosystem (15) and spread across under-represented areas and sectors (10). Every decision traces to a recorded score.
The programme aims to include women-owned businesses, youth-led businesses, businesses owned by persons with disabilities, and businesses from all 20 Lagos Local Government Areas.
No. You must meet the eligibility criteria and provide the required documents. Where applications exceed the available places, selection is based on the scoring criteria and inclusion targets.
No. Only one application is allowed per business.
Use the Apply button on this site to open the official application form. Make sure your information and supporting documents are accurate and complete.
Apply for the programmeTraining and participation
Every two weeks over three months, with four or more sessions in total. Confirmed dates and the delivery format are published on the Training page.
Attend at least three of the four training sessions, joining each one live for at least 30 minutes for it to count as attended. Use Canva for your business at least once a month, produce at least three business outputs, and complete the progress and outcome surveys.
Participants are expected to attend regularly. A session counts as attended when you join live for at least 30 minutes. Missing two or more training sessions may result in disqualification. A participant who withdraws or does not respond within seven days may be replaced from the reserve list during the first three weeks of training.
The free Canva Business access provided through the programme covers three months. Any continuation beyond that depends on the applicable subscription arrangements. Programme completers are also eligible for consideration for LSETF access-to-market and loan-readiness activities.
Need more information?
Contact the programme support team at info@lsetf.ng.
Ready to grow your business?
Apply for the programme →Applying does not guarantee Canva Business access. Access is subject to eligibility and selection.