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OMOTAYO ARAOYE
The African Union Development Agency (AUDA) in partnership with Ecobank Group has launched Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Academy.
The academy, which would start by September 3, 2020 in Nigeria, will provide access to market intelligence, a host of mentors with diverse experience, while assisting with access to funding opportunities.
The Chief Executive Officer, AUDA-NEPAD, Ibrahim Mayaki said the MSME Academy aims to foster resilience and the survival of MSMEs in these critical times of socio-economic uncertainties brought about by the outbreak of COVID-19.
“In this continent where the majority of the countries are low income and middle-income economies, where youth account for almost 60% of all of Africa’s unemployed, the contribution of MSMEs and informal enterprises to the GDP growth and employment creation is fundamental,” Magaji noted.
On the MSME Academy, the Chief Executive Officer of Ecobank Group, Ade Ayeyemi stated that it comes at an appropriate time to provide the right level of support to the vulnerable and important business segment in Africa.
“The impact of COVID-19 continues to be felt across Africa with serious challenges and uncertainties for our MSMEs.
“We have leveraged on the expertise of our globally recognised Ecobank Academy to develop country-specific content tailored to MSMEs in Africa and therefore encourage MSMEs to register and participate in the various available virtual training programmes.
“The learning platform amongst others will provide easy access to practical training and resources on financing opportunities in various countries, materials on how to build digital presence for businesses and how to adapt business operations in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The MSME Academy, according to the Ecobank boss, has three components such as informational webinar with invited speakers, series of virtual instructor-led training programmes, and mentorship for the MSMEs.
The Academy has country-specific content with world-class pan-African design to ensure the right balance between local realities (challenges and opportunities of the MSMEs) with a structured pan-African approach for the sustainability and scalability of the initiatives.
Other first wave of African countries that can have access to the programme are Ghana, August 21; Togo, August 25; Kenya, September 1; Côte d’Ivoire, September 8; Niger, September 15; Rwanda, September 17, and Chad, September 23.
Africa’s Micro Small and Medium Enterprises are invited to join the informational webinars to learn about tips on access to finance and on building digital presence from speakers.
Registration for the MSME Academy can be done here: https://msmeacademy.nepad.org
Is an experienced journalist with over 3 years successful training with knowledge from renowned media houses like Channels Tv, Radio Lagos and presently working with INSIDEBUSINESS, Online Platform. Email Address: [email protected]
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