Source: Brand Communicator
SME Scale Up, a prominent initiative dedicated to empowering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria, recently collaborated with First Bank Nigeria to host a transformative two-day workshop aimed at sparking organic business growth and helping SMEs achieve their full potential.
This workshop, held on August 23 and 24, featured distinguished industry leaders, including Ziad Maalouf, the Managing Director of Seven-Up Bottling Company and the visionary behind SME Scale Up; Oyeyimika Adeboye, the Managing Director of Mondelez West Africa; and Seleem Adegunwa, the Managing Director of Rite Foods. These experts captivated an audience of SME owners by sharing their invaluable insights and experiences.
Titled “From Seedling to Sequoia,” the event provided a unique and dynamic experience, blending insightful lectures, interactive discussions, and practical business simulations. Participants were immersed in a stimulating learning environment, gaining essential knowledge and skills to advance their entrepreneurial journeys in a comfortable setting.
A standout element of the workshop was the use of customised business simulations, meticulously tailored to cover a variety of topics such as leadership, networking, commercial acumen, and cash management. These simulations offered participants hands-on experience, enabling them to apply the lessons learned to real-world business scenarios.
In her session, Oyeyimika Adeboye emphasized the critical role of leadership skills in sustaining SME growth and development, while Adegunwa shared the innovative mindset that drives Rite Foods, underscoring the need for SMEs to excel in today’s rapidly changing business landscape. He reinforced that excellence is a deliberate choice that SME owners must embrace.
The SME Scale Up initiative, conceptualized by Maalouf, is dedicated to enabling Nigerian SME owners to scale their businesses and contribute to the nation’s economic growth. By sharing time-tested entrepreneurial wisdom and offering robust support, this initiative, supported by FMCG giant Seven-Up Bottling Company and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation, aims to create one million jobs in Nigeria by 2035.
The workshop was met with resounding success, with participants expressing deep gratitude for the invaluable insights and practical guidance they received.
Aniakor Leonard, a participant, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “I just want to commend the organisers for delivering such an impactful workshop. I have never attended such an inspiring, challenging, and educational programme before.”
Mosunmola, from the Menopause Support Initiative, also voiced her appreciation, saying, “A very big thank you to the organisers for this timely initiative. You have truly transformed my mindset—I no longer feel confined to staying small.”
The partnership between SME Scale Up and First Bank Nigeria represents a significant milestone in empowering Nigerian SMEs and nurturing a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem. By offering access to knowledge, resources, and networking opportunities, this initiative is helping SMEs unlock their full potential and drive Nigeria’s economic progress.
Other notable industry leaders in attendance included Bolatito Akiboye, Head of Wholesale Business at First Bank Nigeria; Dominion Izedonmi, General Manager of Business Optimisation, Intelligence, and Tech; Emeka Anowai, National Head of Sales; and Segun Ogunleye, General Manager of Marketing at Seven-Up Bottling Company.
