MTN SME Webinar urges youth to build multiple income streams -

Speakers at the 2026 MTN SME Accelerate Youth Entrepreneur Webinar have advised young entrepreneurs to strive to earn from multiple income streams in light of the current socioeconomic climate.

The webinar, which was themed, “The Side-Hustle Growth Playbook: Running a Business While in School or on a 9-to-5,” brought together established entrepreneurs to share their experiences, as well as lessons on combining work and education with entrepreneurship.

Founder and CEO of NyoNyo Essentials, Chichi Yakubu, encouraged young people who want to venture into entrepreneurship to seek multiple streams of income to mitigate the current stresses of the economy.

She urged would-be entrepreneurs to be bold and take initiative, rather than wait for the “perfect time” to execute their business ideas.

She stated that action and consistency are more important for business success than having all the resources available.

“There is never really a right time. If you’re waiting to have enough money, the right network or the perfect platform, you will never start,” she said.

She further advised those juggling side businesses and formal employment to be tactful in their transition towards full-time entrepreneurship.

“If you want to be safe and financially secure, find a job that caters to your needs and pursue your passion in your spare time. Those foundational years build character, resilience and the stamina needed to succeed as an entrepreneur,” she advised.
Founder of Diya Organics and social media influencer, Princess Burland, popularly known as Ama

Burland, cautioned young entrepreneurs to manage their expectations and be strategic in their quest to build sustainable businesses.

She urged young entrepreneurs to be patient and wary of the misleading pressures associated with social media.

Burland cautioned that some online businesses deliberately create the impression of scarcity or large-scale sales to drive interest in their products.

Reinforcing the need for patience in the entrepreneurial journey, the influencer urged young entrepreneurs to understand that growth is gradual. She encouraged them to remain resilient, even in the face of disappointments and setbacks.

Lawyer and founder of Bazal Art Studios, Lawrencia Bazal Darko, advised entrepreneurs to be strategic in their quest to formalise their businesses, urging them to first test the feasibility of their ideas before taking the formal route, since registering a business comes with legal obligations.

She said, “From a lawyer’s perspective, I would say formalise the business the moment you conceive it, but from an entrepreneur’s perspective, I would say run the business for a while and make sure people outside your family and friends are willing to pay for your product or service.”

She encouraged young entrepreneurs to balance legal advice with their own research, stressing the need for them to understand the regulatory environment they are entering in order to establish sound business practices that will help their businesses grow.