Development Bank to Train 1,000 MSMEs

The Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) Plc has concluded plans for the 2021 Entrepreneurship Training Programme in line with its mandate. The exercise is expected to commence from August 16 to October 14, 2021.

The programme which will be implemented in phases over three months will develop the capacity of 1,000 MSMEs drawn from across the country with the requisite business knowledge and skills to upscale their businesses amidst the challenges of the new normal posed by the COVID 19 Pandemic.

The MD/CEO of the Bank, Tony Okpanachi, said the training programme was being organised in collaboration with Google Nigeria, Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) off the Lagos Business School and Wider Perspective Limited (WPL).

This, he said is in line with the bank’s mandate of enhancing the capacity of MSMEs’ to improve their chances of having access to finance.

He elaborated that: “As a Development Financial Institution established to bridge the financial gap through our Participating Financial Institutions, our strategic focus is providing liquidity, credit guarantee, and capacity building for MSMEs to be more productive. The Capacity Building initiative is an integral part of the bank’s mandate to drive economic growth by empowering MSMEs with the skills required to improve their capacity and productivity. So, our objective, in a nutshell, is to equip entrepreneurs across sectors of the Nigerian economy with the requisite management skills to develop viable business plans, access funds, and effectively manage their business growth. Through this training, we will enhance their entrepreneurial and managerial competencies,” he added.

Okpanachi called on eligible MSMEs across the country to avail themselves of the opportunity that the training programme provides.