MTN Business has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) with a view to moving Nigeria’s SMEs to the next level.
One of the key objectives of the collaboration is to provide Nigeria’s SMEs, via SMEDAN, an online platform that offers access to market and visibility for their business offerings, as well as avail them of MTN’s broad range of SME-specific technology solutions. In addition to free listing on this online platform, MTN Y’ello Directory, the MoU will afford SMEs access to discounts on select MTN SME services.
“In line with our Next Level initiative, we will continue to seek credible partners in the public and private sector that share our vision of enabling and inspiring growth amongst SMEs,” said Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, general manager, enterprise marketing, MTN Nigeria. “Collaborating with SMEDAN, Nigeria’s foremost SME advocate, will allow us reach more SMEs across the country, giving them access to technology as well as other SME-relevant services. Because we understand what it takes to grow and sustain a business, we provide growing businesses solutions designed to meet their unique requirements, helping them to become bigger and better,” Ikenna-Emeka said.
Small and medium enterprises constitute over 80 percent of businesses in Africa’s largest economy. A recent survey shows Nigeria’s SMEs currently number 37 million, contributing 48 percent to the gross domestic product.
Bature Umar Masari, director-general/CEO of SMEDAN, said the agency is excited about the collaboration with MTN Business, Nigeria’s leading ICT solutions provider, on the shared objective of helping small businesses take a huge lead forward via technology.
“This harmonises with the purpose for which we were established in 2003. It is SMEDAN’s vision to achieve a structured and efficient Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector that will enhance sustainable economic development of Nigeria,” Masari said.
As part of its Next Level initiative launched earlier this year, MTN Business is creating the biggest community of SMEs in Nigeria by getting them listed for free on MTN Y’ello Directory. Beside the visibility that this provides, SMEs on MTN Y’ello Directory equally have an opportunity to enjoy a bundle of specially designed solutions.
This initiative is open to the 35 million SMEDAN-recognised SMEs.
ODINAKA ANUDU
