SME Scale Up, an initiative dedicated to empowering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria, has recently collaborated with First Bank Nigeria to conduct a two-day workshop aimed at fostering organic business growth and helping SMEs unlock their full potential.
The workshop, held on August 23 and 24, featured prominent industry leaders such as Ziad Maalouf, Managing Director of Seven-Up Bottling Company and the visionary behind SME Scale Up; Oyeyimika Adeboye, Managing Director of Mondelez West Africa; and Seleem Adegunwa, Managing Director of Rite Foods. These experts provided valuable insights and shared their experiences with an engaged audience of SME owners.
Titled “From Seedling to Sequoia,” the event offered a unique blend of informative lectures, interactive discussions, and practical business simulations. Participants were immersed in a rich learning environment, gaining essential knowledge and skills to advance their entrepreneurial endeavors.
A highlight of the workshop was the use of customized business simulations focused on various critical topics, including leadership, networking, commercial acumen, and cash management. These simulations provided participants with practical experience, allowing them to apply the concepts learned in real-life business scenarios.
During her session, Adeboye emphasized the importance of leadership skills in sustaining SME growth and development, while Adegunwa discussed the innovative mindset behind Rite Foods, stressing the need for SMEs to thrive in today’s dynamic business landscape. He also highlighted that excellence is a choice SME owners must consciously make.
The SME Scale Up initiative, spearheaded by Maalouf, is designed to help Nigerian SME owners scale their businesses and contribute to the country’s economic progress. With a goal to create one million jobs in Nigeria by 2035, the initiative is supported by the Seven-Up Bottling Company and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation.
The workshop was highly successful, with participants expressing deep appreciation for the practical insights and guidance offered. Aniakor Leonard, a participant, remarked, “I just want to thank the organizers for an impactful workshop. I’ve never attended such an inspiring, challenging, and educational program.”
Mosunmola from the Menopause Support Initiative also expressed her gratitude, saying, “A very big thank you to the organizers for this timely initiative. You have changed my mindset. I don’t have to remain small.”
The collaboration between SME Scale Up and First Bank Nigeria represents a significant stride towards empowering Nigerian SMEs and nurturing a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem. By providing access to essential knowledge, resources, and networking opportunities, the initiative is helping SMEs reach their full potential and contribute to Nigeria’s economic development.
Other notable attendees at the workshop included Bolatito Akiboye, Head of Wholesale Business at First Bank Nigeria; Dominion Izedonmi, General Manager of Business Optimization, Intelligence, and Tech; and Emeka Anowai and Segun Ogunleye, General Managers at Seven-Up Bottling Company.
