Why Are Good Businesses Still Struggling to Access Finance?
Despite the resilience, creativity and growing contribution of Nigerian entrepreneurs to the economy, access to finance remains one of the major challenges limiting the ability of many businesses to expand, acquire equipment, employ more people and compete effectively. For many entrepreneurs, the challenge goes beyond the availability of money. Financial records, business structure, collateral requirements, […]
CBN Rate Cut: Will Cheaper Credit Finally Reach SMEs?
Nigeria’s entrepreneurs are watching closely after the Central Bank of Nigeria reduced the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) from 26.5% to 23%, a 350-basis-point reduction announced after the Monetary Policy Committee meeting of September 21–22, 2026. For small and medium-sized businesses, the key question is no longer simply whether interest rates have fallen at the policy […]
Nigeria’s Entrepreneurship Sector Gets a Boost
Nigeria’s entrepreneurship ecosystem is experiencing a significant shift, with access to finance, investment readiness, business capacity and market expansion increasingly becoming central to the growth conversation. One of the latest developments is the selection of more than 40 Nigerian SMEs from over 550 applications for the inaugural Grow Enterprise Africa SME Accelerator. The eight-week programme […]
Nigeria’s Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Gains Regional Momentum as Startups, Innovation and Finance Take Centre Stage
Nigeria’s entrepreneurship ecosystem is entering another important phase as startup investment, regional market access, digital finance and innovation support increasingly converge around enterprise growth. One of the major developments this week is the 2nd ECOWAS Startup Awards, taking place in Abuja from September 21–30. Sixty startups selected from more than 6,000 applications across the 12 […]
Nigeria’s Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Enters a New Phase as Investment, Infrastructure and Enterprise Support Expand
Nigeria’s entrepreneurship landscape is showing signs of a stronger shift toward enterprise growth, investment readiness, innovation and market access, with several new initiatives and developments emerging across the country. One of the most significant recent developments is the commencement of construction of the $12 million Abuja Centre for Entrepreneurship (ACE) by SMEDAN, in partnership with […]
Nigeria’s Entrepreneurship Agenda Is Moving From Training to Enterprise Growth
Nigeria’s entrepreneurship ecosystem is entering a more practical phase, with government, financial institutions and development partners increasingly focusing on how skills, finance, technology and market opportunities can be converted into sustainable enterprises and jobs. One of the biggest developments today is the commencement of construction of the $12 million Abuja Centre for Entrepreneurship (ACE) by […]
Nigeria’s Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Is Entering a New Growth Cycle — Skills, Capital and Digital Capability Take Centre Stage
Nigeria’s entrepreneurship landscape is showing signs of a deeper transition. The conversation is increasingly moving beyond simply encouraging people to start businesses towards building enterprises that can acquire skills, adopt technology, attract capital and scale sustainably. One of the latest developments is the Federal Government’s commitment of more than ₦10.5 billion to a digital-skills programme […]
Nigeria’s SME Agenda Is Shifting: From Access to Finance to Building Stronger Enterprises
Nigeria’s entrepreneurship conversation is taking a more practical turn, with growing emphasis on business support, productive assets, skills, technology and market access—not finance alone. The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) has proposed the establishment of scalable SME hubs across Nigeria to help convert improving economic conditions into jobs, higher incomes and sustainable livelihoods. […]
Nigeria’s Entrepreneurial Opportunity Is Growing — But Investment Readiness Is the New Competitive Advantage
Nigeria’s entrepreneurship ecosystem is entering a new phase. Across the country, increasing attention is being placed on access to finance, business development, digital transformation, women-led enterprises, innovation and market expansion. But as more funding opportunities emerge, another issue is becoming increasingly important: Are Nigerian businesses prepared to attract and effectively use capital? Recent developments point […]
Nigeria’s Entrepreneurship Landscape Is Shifting: Skills, AI, Capital and Market Access Take Centre Stage
Nigeria’s entrepreneurship ecosystem is entering a more competitive phase, with the strongest opportunities increasingly going to businesses that can combine skills, technology, market access and financial readiness. A major trend is the growing emphasis on AI and digital skills. Lagos State has commenced a free programme combining artificial intelligence, information technology, entrepreneurship and emotional intelligence […]