Access Bank Plc has partnered with Deloitte to launch a nationwide SME Business Clinic, providing expert advice, financing access, and market insights to Nigeria’s small and medium-sized enterprises to foster resilience and profitability

[dropcap]I[/dropcap]n a significant move to bolster the capabilities of Nigeria’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), Access Bank Plc has teamed up with global consultancy Deloitte to launch a nationwide SME Business Clinic.

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This initiative aims to equip entrepreneurs with expert advice, improved access to financing, and crucial market insights.

The SME Business Clinic, which commenced in Lagos and Abuja simultaneously, is set to tour major Nigerian cities throughout the year.

Operating under the theme ‘Building a Resilient, Profitable and Future-Ready Business in Nigeria’, the clinic is specifically designed to offer tailored advisory services that address the unique operational challenges faced by SMEs, ranging from nano-enterprises to rapidly growing businesses.

The inaugural event saw over 50 Deloitte professionals, including auditors, tax consultants, legal advisors, and financial experts, provide personalised guidance to attending SMEs.

These experts focused on practical challenges such as regulatory compliance, tax structuring, cash flow management, and strategic expansion, all crucial for navigating Nigeria’s often unpredictable economic landscape.

At Access Bank, our growth is inherently linked to your success. We thrive when your business thrives.

Rob Giles, Senior Banking Advisor at Access Bank, reiterated the bank’s unwavering commitment to nurturing the SME ecosystem.

He highlighted that Access Bank currently serves over 7.5 million SME customers nationwide, underscoring the “privilege and a substantial responsibility” that comes with it.

“At Access Bank, our growth is inherently linked to your success. We thrive when your business thrives,” Giles affirmed.

He further explained that insights gathered over years of engagement with entrepreneurs consistently point to three major obstacles: access to finance, access to markets, and access to vital information.

“The Business Clinic is strategically designed to address these specific needs,” Giles said, emphasising that this clinic is unique, offering comprehensive support from more than 50 experts, including partners from Deloitte.

Toluwalogo Odutayo, Partner in Tax and Regulatory Services at Deloitte, commented that the partnership with Access Bank signifies a shared commitment to resolving structural challenges within Nigeria’s SME sector.

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“Working with Access Bank on this initiative is vital, as SMEs are a focal point for both of us. While they significantly contribute to the economy, we see tremendous untapped potential.

The goal now is to enhance SMEs’ infrastructure and support systems to excel,” Odutayo explained.