Ecobank Nigeria, a subsidiary of the Ecobank Group, has unveiled an ambitious training program, the MySME Growth Series, designed to empower small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across Nigeria. The initiative, launched in Lagos, seeks to train over one million SME operators throughout 2024, demonstrating the bank’s commitment to supporting the success of SMEs across various sectors.
Osahon Akpata, Head of SME & Partnerships at Ecobank Nigeria, highlighted the significance of the program, emphasizing its alignment with the bank’s growth-focused approach. The MySME Growth Series will kick off with virtual bootcamps led by expert facilitators, focusing on key areas such as accounting, credit, sales & marketing, taxation, and inventory management.
“With an overall theme of ‘Scaling up your SME in 2024,’ the first weekly MySME Growth webinar series will commence on Thursday, February 1, addressing ‘Growing your business online,'” Akpata announced. The inaugural webinar will be facilitated by Ijeoma Arum, Chief Commercial Officer at Jumia Nigeria, and subsequent sessions are scheduled every Thursday throughout the year.
Additionally, the series aims to cover a range of topics relevant to small businesses, and the bank is planning to launch an SME Mentorship program in collaboration with successful entrepreneurs. The comprehensive training will equip SMEs with practical tools, including budget templates, scenario simulation calculators, and links to government forms.
“We will provide articles on key topics, including tips to increase sales, advertising ideas, business management practices, case studies, and guides to leveraging technology, amongst others,” Akpata added. The program also envisions offering resources for starting a business, covering areas such as business registration, industry statistics, and essential considerations for running a business.
Ecobank Nigeria’s MySME Growth Series reflects the bank’s dedication to fostering the growth of SMEs, recognizing their vital role in contributing to Nigeria’s economy.