• Thursday, November 28, 2024
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Olajide Olanlokun: Creating digital, economic empowerment for SMEs in Nigeria

Olajide Olanlokun: Creating digital, economic empowerment for SMEs in Nigeria

Olajide Olanlokun, Business Manager and one of the Nigeria Representatives working with Aussie Digital

In a challenging business landscape, a recent survey conducted by Mastercard has unveiled a glimmer of hope for Nigeria’s small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

The survey, a part of the Mastercard Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Africa SME Confidence Index, reveals that a remarkable 63 percent of SMEs in Nigeria are brimming with optimism, foreseeing significant business expansion in 2023.

Even more striking is that 97 percent of these SMEs firmly believe that omnichannel payments hold the key to their growth.

Amid this backdrop of optimism and challenges, Olajide Akinade Olanlokun, a Business Manager and one of the Nigeria Representatives working with Aussie Digital leads an innovative change to the SME ecosystem.

Aussie Digital is a platform that simplifies the journey for small businesses venturing into the online realm. Powered by blockchain-enabled digital tokens, this platform offers digital marketing tools that can transform retailers into e-tailers.

The Aussie digital team is a coalition of professionals with diverse backgrounds spanning finance, technology, and marketing.

“Our team members bring extensive experience from various industries, fostering a well-rounded approach to cryptocurrency development,” Olajide explained, highlighting the wealth of expertise powering the business.

Addressing specific challenges

Beyond technology, Aussie Digital’s ecosystem actively supports community members through diverse channels, ranging from forums to educational resources. “We prioritize community engagement, ensuring users have the tools and knowledge to navigate the cryptocurrency landscape successfully,” Olajide added.

Empowering small and family-owned businesses

What sets Aussie Digital apart is its unwavering focus on supporting small and family-owned businesses, as Olajide elucidates.

“The core mission of Aussie Digital revolves around promoting economic inclusivity. By offering tailored solutions and a user-friendly platform, we empower these businesses to thrive in the evolving digital economy,” he stated, underlining their commitment to leveling the playing field.

Delving into the unique challenges faced by small businesses and SMEs, Olajide sheds light on their common struggles, including limited access to global markets and complex payment processes.

“Aussie Digital addresses these issues head-on by providing a user-friendly platform called Tradezy with global reach, simplified transactions, and efficient payment solutions, spanning both fiat and crypto, all meticulously tailored for small businesses,” he explained.

Reducing reliance on traditional intermediaries

When it comes to usability, Aussie Digital has an intuitive interface, catering to both novices and seasoned traders.

“Our Tradedo platform simplifies the trading process and offers a seamless experience, setting us apart from other cryptocurrency trading platforms,” Olajide emphasised.

In addition, he said “Our platform goes the extra mile by reducing reliance on fiat and middlemen. Instead, we offer a decentralized platform that enables direct peer-to-peer transactions, thereby fostering financial independence for businesses.”

One-stop solution for SMEs

A feature of the startup is the effective integration of a trading exchange (Tradedo), an e-commerce platform (Tradezy), and a social media hub (Chatezy) through a unified platform.

Olajide passionately highlights that this integration streamlines the user experience, allowing seamless navigation between trading, buying/selling, and community interaction.

A unified platform for comprehensive solutions

Aussie Digital effectively merges the functionalities of a trading exchange Tradedo, e-commerce Tradezy, and social media Chatezy through a unified platform.

“This integration streamlines the user experience, allowing seamless navigation between trading, buying/selling, and community interaction,” Olajide highlighted.

“Perhaps one of the most significant benefits for SMEs lies in this integration,” Olajide continued.

“The merging of a trading exchange, e-commerce, and social media provides users with a one-stop solution. This approach enhances convenience, encourages collaboration, and facilitates comprehensive business operations within a single platform.”

Read also: NEPC, ITC empower 4,000 women entrepreneurs for global success

Active participation and contribution

For individuals or businesses looking to actively participate or contribute to Aussie Digital’s thriving community, the Business Manager suggested, “For active participation, individuals and businesses can engage in our community forums, contribute feedback, and explore partnership opportunities.

“Regular updates and educational content also empower users to make the most of the platform’s features and actively contribute to its growth, he continued. We provide user guides and support to help them navigate the platform effectively, ensuring a smooth experience from the beginning.”

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