In furtherance of its bid to increase technology adoption, skills and build capacity in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria, Microsoft has collaborated with First Bank of Nigeria Limited to empower and create an enabling environment to boost the growth of SMEs in the country.
To this end, the two long standing companies recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the purpose of providing SME’s value-added products, services and offerings covering access to premium content, business networks, capacity building initiatives and innovative offers of banking and technology services.
Speaking at the MoU signing ceremony at Microsoft’s head office in Lagos, Gbenga Shobo, deputy managing director, First Bank Nigeria, expressed First Bank’s unwavering commitment to the business success of SMEs in Nigeria with its array of products and bespoke solutions, specially designed to help grow and sustain SMEs.
“We are committed to the development of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and ensuring their sustained business growth as well as providing the necessary tools to support that growth and Nigeria’s economy at large,” Shobo said.
In the same vein, Akin Banuso, general manager, Microsoft Nigeria, who was excited about how both organisations are empowering Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to achieve more, mentioned that; “Our approach at Microsoft has been one of empowerment and collaboration.”
“Initially, our work with SMEs was strongly focused on bringing them online to boost their productivity and competitiveness. Over the years, as we have worked with and learned from SMEs, our focus has evolved to provide them with a more holistic and game-changing offering, which is: Access to technology, markets, finance, information, skills, and services,” Banuso added.
First Bank and Microsoft strongly believe that their joint effort in support will help to achieve increased product and service offerings to First Bank’s SME customers.
Microsoft’s commitments under the 4Afrika initiative is focused on playing an active role in Africa’s economic development. For SMEs, this means empowering them to digitally transform, using technology to be more productive, competitive and in a position to scale across borders. We can help them do this by providing affordable devices, cloud-based software at pay-as-you-go models, anytime-anywhere access, and relevant training and content on how best to apply technology to their business.
Jumoke Akiyode-Lawanson
