Nigeria’s business environment not harsh, says Tonye Cole
Contrary to the widespread belief that the Nigeria’s business environment is harsh, the Executive Director and CoFounder of Sahara Group, Mr Tonye Cole has dispelled the belief, saying, “It is not a harsh environment”.
He said it is high time potential entrepreneurs changed their mindset that the business environment is harsh even as he noted that the government’s ease of doing business has improved small businesses in the country.
Speaking at the Entrepreneurs’ Connect Forum themed: “The role of Credit and Technology in building a sustainable business”, Cole said, “It is not a harsh environment. If you want to survive at all, get out of your mind-set. Don’t assume it is harsh and never allow anyone to tell you the environment is harsh”. He said those who think the environment is harsh are venturing into areas that “are over populated and over-subscribed”. “What you need to do is that there are many other opportunities where people have not keyed into and going in there, you find out it is much easier”, he said. “Again, the ease of doing business that the Federal Government is implementing shows the government is more particular about businesses and it is helping businesses to get better”. Cole tasked entrepreneurs to leverage on technology drive their businesses, noting that businesses collapse in their first year for wont of research. Convener of The Young CEO, Mr. Aigbe Omoregie, said the forum is targeted at youth empowerment.