The Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP) has introduced a new financing initiative aimed at helping participants in the Federal Government’s Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme acquire affordable laptops and other digital devices.
The initiative, known as Credit for Laptops, Internet, Connectivity and Knowledge Digital Devices (C.L.I.C.K.D.), was launched on Tuesday in Abuja through a partnership between CREDICORP and the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy.
Under the first phase of the programme, 1,000 locally assembled laptops will be made available to eligible 3MTT fellows through the Learn2Earn platform. During the launch event, 77 beneficiaries received their devices.
Fidelity Bank will oversee the credit administration process, while the laptops will be assembled locally by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) in collaboration with Imose Technologies.
Speaking at the unveiling, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, said the programme is intended to equip Nigerians with both digital skills and the necessary tools to actively participate in the country’s expanding digital economy.
He noted that the initiative would enable qualified participants in the 3MTT programme to access essential digital devices while also supporting local manufacturing through the use of locally assembled laptops.
CREDICORP Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Uzoma Nwagba, said the scheme is designed to eliminate the burden of paying the full cost of digital devices upfront, while encouraging responsible consumer credit and promoting local industrial development.
According to him, integrating affordable financing into a national digital skills programme will allow more Nigerians to acquire the technology they need to learn, work, and generate income, while also creating jobs within the local manufacturing sector.
CREDICORP described C.L.I.C.K.D. as its flagship digital device financing programme, adding that it will eventually be expanded beyond the 3MTT initiative to include other internet-enabled devices and digital tools for working Nigerians.
The corporation also disclosed plans to partner with more financial institutions, technology companies, device manufacturers, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), training institutions, and other stakeholders to widen access to affordable digital devices across the country.
