In line with the Federal Government`s commitment to growing small and medium enterprises (SMEs), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) through the Bankers` Committee has introduced the `Funding Nigeria SMEs` initiative as a platform for SMEs to access loans, funds and grants to grow their businesses.
“To create the necessary awareness, we are organising a one-day public enlightenment workshop across three states of the federation on how SMEs can access funds, loans and grants available in the Funding Nigeria SMEs initiative,” says Mr. Bonaventure Okaimo of Unity Bank, one of the participating banks.
This initiative, which is part of government`s economic diversification effort towards increased SME’s easy access to intervention funds, is aimed at growing small and medium scale businesses for effective contribution to the Nigerian economy.
He explained further that the sensitisation workshops are billed to hold in the cities of Lagos at The Zone Tech Park, by UPS, Gbagada/Oshodi Express Way on July 26th, in Kano at Meena Events Centre by Government House on August 2nd and finally in Aba at Binez Hotels on August 9th.
These workshops shall be anchored by experts from Deposit Money Banks, Central Bank of Nigeria, Ease of Doing Business Team, Bank of Agriculture (BOA), Bank of Industry (BOI) and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN).
He urged SMEs, particularly agro business owners, farmers, local manufacturers and fabricators, fashion and textile, exporters, ICT, creative sector and general commerce to avail themselves of the opportunity of accessing funds by registering on www.fundingnigeriasme.com to be part of this workshop which is the first step towards being beneficiaries of the initiative.
