The Small-Scale Enterprise (SSE Lab), has launched the Manufacturing Business Accelerator (MBA) Program Cohort 2 to support aspiring and emerging African entrepreneurs.
Adesola Jimmy-Eboma, founder and chief executive officer of SSE Lab said the MBA program was created to close the execution gap between idea and action.
She noted that the program does these by offering a structured learning experience that equips entrepreneurs with the clarity, confidence, and practical tools needed to launch, package, and scale their businesses within three months.
Highlighting the expectations of the program, Jimmy-Eboma noted that the MBA cohort-two program will focus on practical execution.
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According to her, this will ensure that participants graduates with a fully developed product, clear marketing and business strategies, and a well-documented business plan.
“The program curriculum spans a comprehensive range of topics that guide participants from concept development to final product launch,” she said.
“Weekly modules cover product design and prototyping, market research, business planning, branding and packaging, legal and regulatory compliance, sales and distribution strategy, financial planning, and sustainability,” she explained.
She noted that the format includes live expert sessions, downloadable workbooks, guided assignments, a Learning Management System (LMS), and one-on-one coaching to provide tailored feedback and accountability.
Speaking about the inaugural lunch of the program, she said that cohort 1 of the MBA program concluded its successful run from September to November 2024 with a compelling and inspiring MBA Business Shower in Lagos.
According to her, the students have the opportunity to present their products, pitch their business plans and showcase their brand identities to a room filled with entrepreneurs, ecosystem builders, partners, and potential investors.
“Following the success of Cohort 1, participants described the MBA program as life-changing, citing how it has helped them strengthen their messaging, brand packaging and designing of products that can compete in the marketplace,” she said while sharing testimonies from participants.
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“One of the graduates shared that the program was the exact push she needed to stop dreaming and start doing, while another graduate affirmed that the weekly structure gave her the confidence to launch and pitch her product with pride,” she noted.
“The MBA is not just a course but a movement to build the next generation of product-based businesses made in Africa and by Africans,” she added.
She stressed that the program is also particularly ideal for side hustlers, corporate professionals, creatives, and startup founders who have a product idea or an early-stage business that needs structure, branding, and a path to scale.
“The experience is community-driven, coach-led, and purpose-built for implementation and not just learning,” she noted.
The MBA program which stands as one of the flagship initiatives of the SSE Lab will commence on Sunday, April 20th, 2025, while the virtual welcome will take place on April 13th, 2025.
The program is a 12-week virtual course and will conclude with the second MBA Business Shower on July 17, 2025. Interested applicants can visit the program website to apply.
