ECOBANK NIGERIA LAUNCHES MYSME GROWTH SERIES TO EMPOWER ONE

Ecobank Nigeria initiates an innovative training program aimed at empowering small and medium enterprises (SMEs) operators in the country.

With the program named MySME Growth Series, the Bank is set to provide training to more than 1 million SME operators throughout the country in 2024.

Unveiling the initiative in Lagos, Osahon Akpata, Head of SME & Partnerships at Ecobank Nigeria, announced that the empowerment program aligns with the bank’s dedication to fuel the success of SMEs across diverse sectors of the economy.

“Ecobank’s objective is to train 1 million SMEs in Nigeria, enhancing their capabilities and fostering growth. We are initiating the inaugural phase of our training initiative – MySME Growth Series, featuring a range of virtual bootcamps led by expert facilitators. SMEs constitute the growth engine of Nigeria’s economy, contributing nearly 50% of GDP and 90% of jobs. As a growth-centric bank, Ecobank is steadfast in supporting the success of SMEs across various sectors of the economy,” he explained.

Furthermore, he revealed that under the overarching theme of “Scaling up your SME in 2024,” the inaugural weekly MySME Growth webinar series is scheduled to commence on Thursday, February 1. The first session will concentrate on ‘Growing your business online’ and will be led by Ijeoma Arum, Chief Commercial Officer at Jumia Nigeria.

He highlighted that the webinar will occur every Thursday throughout the year.

Moreover, Mr. Akpata clarified that the series will delve into various topics addressing critical areas of concern for small businesses, including accounting, credit, sales & marketing, taxation, and inventory management. He added that the Bank is also in the process of launching an SME Mentorship program to collaborate with accomplished entrepreneurs.

“We will equip SMEs with tools to enhance their business, such as budget templates, simulators for various scenarios, and links to government forms. They will receive training on resources for starting a business, including the registration process, industry and geographical statistics, and essential considerations for running a business. We will also provide articles covering key topics, such as tips for increasing sales, advertising ideas, business management practices, case studies, and guides to leveraging technology, among other subjects,” he expressed enthusiastically.”

Source: Techeconomoy