Ogun Partners Micro-Finance Banks to Empower MSME Operators

The Ogun State Government is partnering with the National Association of Microfinance Banks (NAMB) to enable 200 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) access capital to start and grow their businesses. The Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs Kikelomo Longe, disclosed this during a meeting with MSMEs operators in Abeokuta, the state capital, with the theme, "Funding Opportunities for MSMEs in Ogun State." Speaking at the event, Longe said that the meeting was held to build on the gains of the last Ogun State MSMEs Business Clinic and further assist beneficiaries to overcome the challenge of accessing fund which had continued to hinder businesses globally.

She noted that the Dapo Abiodun led administration had instituted several policies and executed initiatives aimed at fostering economic growth, adding that the government was working on establishing six Economic Development Clusters.

"I also appreciate you for executing this timely intervention targeted at empowering 200 entrepreneurs in the state to potentially access capital required to start, grow and scale-up their businesses," the Commissioner stated. Longe called on entrepreneurs to avail themselves the opportunity by registering for their Business Premises Permits on the state’s database, adding that it would enable the government to plan better for their business.

Also speaking at the event, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Industry, Trade, and Investment, Mr. Remi Ogunmefun, said the present administration is focused on sustaining businesses by linking entrepreneurs with fund providers and building their capacity.

A representative of Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Mr. Victor Obaleze, said the German company had reached an agreement with the state government to train 10,000 entrepreneurs to help them start, expand and attract investments. In his address, the State Chairman, National Association of Microfinance Banks (NAMB), Mr Samusideen Sodiya, said the programme was organised to expose the participants to various funding opportunities available for MSMEs in the State and also educate them on how to judiciously invest their capital.

Sodiya added that NAMB is ready to sustain its collaboration with the State government to improve funding opportunities for businesses.

Earlier, the State Manager, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Mr. Biodun Awoliyi assured that the organisation is ready to train beneficiaries of loan facilities accessed through the programme to enable them acquire soft skills which would help manage the funds effectively.