News Posted on

Airtel Nigeria and SMEDAN Forge Strategic Partnership to Empower SMEs

Author admin 0 231

 In a move poised to enhance Nigeria’s small business ecosystem, Airtel Nigeria has officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), marking the beginning of a mutually beneficial partnership aimed at empowering SMEs across the country.

The landmark agreement was signed over the weekend at Airtel Nigeria’s headquarters in Banana Island, Lagos, by Airtel Nigeria’s Chief Executive Officer, Dinesh Balsingh, and the Director General of SMEDAN, Charles Odii.

Effective from April 17, 2025, the MoU paves the way for Airtel to deepen its engagement with Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) by gaining access to SME clusters nationwide. This collaboration is expected to drive growth for Airtel Business through enhanced reach and tailored services designed for Nigeria’s vibrant SME sector.

Speaking at the event, Airtel Nigeria expressed delight in hosting the SMEDAN delegation and described the partnership as a strategic step toward strengthening digital infrastructure and support systems for small businesses in Nigeria.

With this initiative, both organizations aim to create scalable solutions that will boost productivity, improve digital inclusion, and ultimately contribute to national economic development.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published.

You may also like

Business Interviews Investments Posted on

Anambra ICT Chief Applauds Enugu Tech Festival, Says Southeast is Poised for Tech-Driven Growth

Author admin 0 55
post-image

 The Southeast region of Nigeria is fast emerging as a hub for technological innovation and investment, according to Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata (CFA), the Managing Director of the Anambra State ICT Agency, who participated in the just-concluded Enugu Tech Festival alongside Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani.

Speaking at the festival themed “From Code to Code”, Agbata described the event as timely and transformative, capturing the momentum and aspirations of Nigeria’s tech-driven future.

“The theme aptly captures the essence of our transition into the Fourth Industrial Revolution,” Agbata said. “Technology’s permanence is no longer debatable; what remains uncertain is the level of passion Nigerians will bring to its adoption.”

He emphasized that both Enugu and Anambra States are strategically positioned to lead in digital…

Read More
Business Economy Events Investments Posted on

OADC CEO, Dr. Tunde Coker, Named Among Global Top 100 Leaders in Digital Infrastructure by Capacity Media

Author admin 0 147
post-image

In a major recognition of African leadership in the global digital economy, Dr. Ayotunde (Tunde) Coker, Chief Executive Officer of Open Access Data Centres (OADC), has been named to the prestigious 2025 Power 100 list by Capacity Media, a leading global publication under the Techoraco brand.

The Power 100 is an annual list that recognises the most influential executives and thought leaders driving innovation, growth, and transformation in the global digital infrastructure landscape. Curated by Capacity Media’s editorial board and informed by peer nominations from across the industry, the list celebrates individuals who are setting new benchmarks in data centre development, cloud technologies, network services, and cross-border digital connectivity.

OADC, in an official statement, expressed immense pride in Dr. Coker’s inclusion, highlighting it as a testament to both his…

Read More
Announcements Business Culture Economy Posted on

Governor Sanwo-Olu Launches N10 Billion LASMECO Fund to Boost SMEs in Lagos

Author admin 0 143
post-image

 

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has unveiled a groundbreaking financial initiative aimed at empowering grassroots entrepreneurs and boosting the state’s economy. The program, known as the Lagos State Access to Finance for SMEs Through Cooperatives (LASMECO), was officially launched following a landmark agreement with the Bank of Industry (BOI) and Sterling Bank.

The N10 billion public-private fund will provide Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) with non-collateralized loans of up to ₦10 million at a competitive 9% annual interest rate. Beneficiaries will also enjoy a six-month moratorium period. The loans will be disbursed through verified cooperative societies, a move Governor Sanwo-Olu described as a strategic model to ensure both accountability and community impact.

Speaking at the launch, the governor said, “Today marks a significant step forward in our journey to build a more inclusive and resilient economy in Lagos State. This isn’t just about funding — it’s about removing systemic barriers…

Read More
Business Economy Posted on

NITDA, Google Hold Strategic Workshop to Accelerate Nigeria’s Digital Transformation Agenda

Author admin 0 255
post-image

In a landmark move to fast-track Nigeria’s digital economy and position the country as a global tech powerhouse, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and technology giant Google have commenced a high-level two-day collaborative workshop. The event, which kicked off this week in Abuja, marks a pivotal step in actualizing a broader strategic partnership between the Federal Government and Google, following a significant meeting between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Google CEO Sundar Pichai in Paris on February 10, 2025.

The workshop aims to validate critical findings and refine a draft framework built around five transformative pillars that will guide the collaboration between NITDA and Google. These pillars include:

  1. Scalable Digital Infrastructure – Expanding and strengthening Nigeria’s tech backbone to enable widespread internet access and digital connectivity across urban and rural areas.

  2. Read More
Business Culture Economy Entertainment Events Software Tourism Travels Trends Posted on

Tayo Folorunsho Calls for Investment and Structural Reforms to Propel Abuja’s Entertainment Industry to Greater Heights

Author admin 0 128
post-image

Tayo Folorunsho, a leading Nigerian entertainment expert and Founder of Edutainment First International Ltd/GTE, has raised concerns about the challenges of running an entertainment business in Abuja. Despite the difficulties, he remains committed to overcoming these obstacles, urging for significant investments and coordinated reforms to unlock the full potential of Abuja’s entertainment industry.

Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city, is renowned for its political significance, booming real estate sector, and vibrant economy. However, Folorunsho, who has successfully run entertainment ventures in Lagos, notes that Abuja’s entertainment market is still in its infancy. Unlike Lagos, where the entertainment scene operates year-round, Abuja’s calendar is more limited, with events mostly concentrated around festive periods. This seasonal nature, coupled with inconsistent support from agencies and organizations, poses a challenge for entertainers and event managers seeking to build long-term businesses in the city.

In…

Read More
Business Economy Finance Fintech Posted on

CBN Governor Cardoso Highlights Nigeria’s Economic Progress, Reform Commitment at IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings

Author admin 0 224
post-image

By Anthony Emeka Nwosu


At the close of the 2025 International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington D.C., Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Olayemi Cardoso delivered an optimistic and reform-driven message at a media briefing with Nigerian journalists, reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to macroeconomic stability and inclusive growth.

Addressing the press, Governor Cardoso described the week as one of “highly productive engagements” with global financial leaders, international investors, and members of the Nigerian diaspora. According to him, the CBN delegation leveraged the global forum to spotlight Nigeria’s ongoing economic reforms and to explore strategies to deepen stability, enhance the financial sector, and stimulate broad-based growth.

“Thanks to the steps taken over the past 18 months, we have strengthened our monetary buffers and positioned Nigeria to better…

Read More
Business Culture Economy Posted on

Nnewi-Born Industrialist, Dr. Stella Okoli, Set To Commission ₦35 Billion Pharmaceutical Factory in Ogun State

Author admin 0 142
post-image

 

 

By Ada Lilian Sunday

From the industrious heartland of Nnewi in Anambra State, a town renowned for producing some of Nigeria’s most formidable entrepreneurs, comes yet another monumental achievement that reinforces the legacy of enterprise that defines the region. Dr. Stella Chinyelu Okoli, founder and Group Managing Director of Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., is set to unveil a ₦35 billion Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) manufacturing facility in Sagamu, Ogun State — a project that not only highlights her entrepreneurial foresight but also signals a bold step towards Nigeria’s pharmaceutical self-reliance.

Dr. Okoli’s journey is one deeply rooted in the enterprising spirit of Nnewi, often referred to as the “Japan of Africa” for its robust manufacturing culture. As a daughter of the soil, she has not only upheld but also elevated the town’s proud tradition of innovation and industrial excellence. With over four decades of business leadership, she has transformed Emzor from…

Read More
Business Economy Technology Technology Trends Telecoms Posted on

Oluremi Tinubu Commissions Cutting-Edge IT Centre in Honour of Onikepo Akande, Announces Rollout of 10 Additional Centres Nationwide to Drive Tech Inclusion and Economic Growth

Author admin 0 94
post-image

In a historic and forward-looking event, Her Excellency, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, officially commissioned a modern Information Technology (IT) Centre named in honour of a distinguished Nigerian icon, Mrs. Onikepo Akande. The facility, situated in a strategic location within the state, is designed to serve as a springboard for digital empowerment, particularly targeting women and young people—two demographic groups that have long been underserved in Nigeria’s rapidly advancing tech ecosystem.

The well-attended ceremony brought together prominent government officials, traditional leaders, members of the diplomatic corps, tech stakeholders, youth groups, and women-led organisations who all gathered to witness the unveiling of what is expected to become a landmark centre for skills acquisition and digital transformation.

In her keynote address, the First Lady underscored the importance of digital literacy and innovation in the…

Read More