FirstBank Nigeria has teamed up with Microsoft4Afrika to provide small and medium enterprises in Nigeria with non-financial solutions aimed at driving growth and accelerating digital transformation. The partnership, set to officially launch on Friday, 18 January 2019, will be introduced during a free event for SMEs, focusing on promoting technology adoption and skills development.
The collaboration follows a memorandum of understanding signed in June 2018 and is designed to equip local businesses with exclusive, tailored solutions that go beyond financial services. FirstBank said the initiative would strengthen the capacity of SMEs, enabling them to compete effectively in the digital era.
The bank’s head of customer experience and value management described the partnership as a milestone in its long-standing commitment to supporting SMEs. She noted that, in addition to providing business support for more than 125 years, FirstBank is now leveraging technology to empower entrepreneurs. Through the partnership, SMEs can purchase Microsoft products at discounted rates in naira, making digital tools more affordable and accessible.
Microsoft4Afrika’s regional director, who will deliver the keynote at the launch, stressed that technology integration is no longer optional for SMEs but essential for survival and expansion. She highlighted that digital tools can help businesses reach new markets, improve productivity, enhance customer service, and respond quickly to changing market conditions.
Microsoft4Afrika is pursuing similar collaborations across the continent, working with banks, telecommunications companies, and other stakeholders to extend digital skills and tools to more SMEs. The initiative aims to not only support individual business growth but also strengthen Africa’s overall competitiveness in the global digital economy.
Participants at the launch event will gain access to skills development resources, business networks, and an educational platform to help them adopt and integrate technology effectively into their operations.
