In a promising move for Nigerian Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), the French Ambassador to Nigeria, Emmanuelle Blatmann, has announced a strategic partnership with Baobab Nigeria to tackle the funding challenges faced by small businesses.
Recognizing the pivotal role played by MSMEs in driving economic growth, Blatmann lauded Baobab Nigeria for its steadfast dedication to empowering small businesses. This initiative not only creates opportunities for wealth generation but also addresses the pressing issue of youth unemployment in the country.
During her recent visit to Baobab Nigeria in Lagos, Blatmann underscored the significance of collaborative efforts in providing essential training and support, especially for women and vulnerable individuals. She highlighted that accessing loans can be a daunting task for many, and a partnership between the French Embassy and Baobab could be a game-changer in this context.
Blatmann also commended the extensive reach of the Baobab Group, which operates in seven African countries, including Nigeria. In Nigeria alone, the group serves customers across 16 states, benefitting over 200,000 individuals. She drew attention to Baobab Plus, a specialized branch of Baobab Group dedicated to providing renewable energy solutions like clean cooking powered by solar energy. This not only brings about environmental benefits but also contributes to improved health outcomes, with reduced smoke emissions and decreased reliance on charcoal.
Eric Ntumba, the Acting Chief Executive Officer of Baobab Nigeria, expressed his gratitude for the Ambassador’s visit, emphasizing that it serves as a powerful reminder to persistently deliver innovative financial tools to underserved populations, enabling them to scale up their businesses.
He reiterated Baobab Nigeria’s unwavering commitment, as part of Baobab Group, to provide top-tier financial services to Nigeria’s underserved population, ushering in a new era of financial empowerment for small businesses across the nation.
