Etisalat urges SMEs to leverage ICT for business growth

Etisalat Nigeria has advised Small and Medium scale Enterprises (SMEs) to leverage Information and Communication Technology (ICT) because of the tremendous growth and expansion opportunities it offers growing businesses.

Etisalat Nigeria gave this advice during its 16th Market Access Forum, organised by the Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) of the Pan Atlantic University, in partnership with Etisalat Nigeria as a quarterly business networking and empowerment initiative for SMEs owners to interact with large corporations with the objective of sharing knowledge.

Chinelo Mbanefo, head, Enterprise Marketing, Etisalat Nigeria, while addressing SME owners during the Market Access Forum in Enugu said, “At Etisalat, we are passionate about the growth of startups and budding businesses in Nigeria as one of the key drivers of economic transformation for the country.

“In line with this vision, we have continued to launch specialized products and services that meet the needs of SMEs like EasyBusiness package and SME Arena. We have equally collaborated with institutions that support startups and growing business with initiatives like Market Access Forum which we have supported since 2011”

Sam Ogbu-Nwobodo, Enugu State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry commended Etisalat for its commitment and contribution to the growth of SMEs in Nigeria, and encouraged SME owners to apply the knowledge afforded them by the Market Access initiative to ensure sustainability of their businesses.

“In today’s world of technology there are no borders again. You have the opportunity to transact business with foreign and local partners and customers over the internet; it is over to you to make use of the opportunities presented to you by modern technology”, he said.

Wale Anifowose, general manager, Programs and Partnership, Enterprise Development Centre, Pan Atlantic University, said the Market Access initiative is a platform that brings together Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) and large companies to network, start relationships and create opportunities.

“The main goal of Market Access Forum is to facilitate market access for SMEs by keying them into the value chain of large organisations, bridging the gap, and enabling local content development and participation in various sectors of the Nigerian economy”, he stated.

Growth and Employment (GEM) Project Coordinator, Ugo Ikemba, from the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment talked about the GEM project which is funded by the World Bank and the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID). The project is aimed at job creation and increased non-oil growth in specific high potential value chain sectors, through the provision of grants.

Market Access initiative since its inception has aided SMEs in networking and developing productive and beneficial relationships. The platform has toured key regions in the country including Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Enugu.