Ecobank Nigeria, a subsidiary of the Ecobank Group, has unveiled an innovative training program called MySME Growth Series. This initiative is designed to empower operators of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across Nigeria, with a goal to train over 1 million SME operators in 2024.
Osahon Akpata, Head of SME & Partnerships at Ecobank Nigeria, highlighted the bank’s commitment to boosting the success of SMEs in various sectors of the economy. The MySME Growth Series will kick off with a weekly webinar series starting on Thursday, February 1, under the theme “Scaling up your SME in 2024.” The first session will focus on ‘Growing your business online’ and will be facilitated by Ijeoma Arum, Chief Commercial Officer at Jumia Nigeria.
Akpata emphasized that SMEs are vital to Nigeria’s economy, contributing nearly 50% of GDP and 90% of jobs. The series will cover key topics such as accounting, credit, sales & marketing, taxation, and inventory management. Ecobank also plans to launch an SME Mentorship program to collaborate with successful entrepreneurs.
The bank aims to equip SMEs with practical tools, including budget templates, scenario simulators, and links to government forms. The training will cover resources for starting a business, registration processes, industry statistics, and essential considerations for running a business. Additionally, articles on key topics like increasing sales, advertising ideas, business management practices, case studies, and leveraging technology will be provided. The MySME Growth Series reflects Ecobank’s dedication to fostering growth and success within the SME community.
