Ecobank, Africa Union partner on MSMEs academy

ECO BANK GROUP AND the African Development agency have entered into an agreement to set up an MSME Academy that will provide easy access to practical training and resources on financing opportunities in various countries.

According to a statement issued by Ecobank Group, the initiative is spearheaded under the AUDA-NEPAD “100,000 MSMEs by 2021” (100K MSMEs) programme aimed at building a digital presence for businesses and how to adapt business operations in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Pan African MSME Academy offers free access to market intelligence, a host of mentors with a diverse experience while assisting with access to funding opportunities. The MSME Academy will have three components: an informational webinar with invited speakers, a series of virtual instructor-led trainwould ings and mentorship for the MSMEs.

Through the academy, MSMEs will be invited to join series of informational webinars tailored for MSME operating in Nigeria. The first webinar provides tips on access to finance and building a digital presence.

It is scheduled for September 3, 2020.. Prospective MSMEs are to register at https://msmeacademy.nepad.org/

The AUDA-NEPAD 100K MSMEs programme is focused on the implementation of the Agenda 2063 Aspiration number one (1), which aims at building a Prosperous Africa, based on Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development.

The programme will provide support to African MSMEs and is structured in three pillars, namely: the MSME Academy, MSME Marketplace, and MSME Financing Support Programme to be delivered through an MSME Digital Platform.