Source: Punch Newspaper
The Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) has announced the forthcoming fifth edition of its Annual DBN Lecture Series, which will take place on September 25 at the Transcorp Hotel in Abuja. The event will focus on the challenges confronting Nigeria’s micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), with the theme: “Empowering Nigerian MSMEs in a Challenging Global Landscape.”
This lecture underscores DBN’s dedication to supporting MSMEs and will feature Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, the Managing Director and CEO of Fidelity Bank Plc, as the keynote speaker. In addition, a panel of esteemed industry experts, including Abba Aliyu, Managing Director and CEO of the Rural Electrification Agency, and Ajuma Ataguba, Managing Director of Founder Institute and Venture Partner at White Hibiscus Capital, will provide valuable insights on how to navigate the current business climate.
Tony Okpanachi, DBN’s Managing Director and CEO, highlighted the significance of the event, stressing that MSMEs form the foundation of Nigeria’s economy but are grappling with numerous challenges both locally and globally. “Access to affordable financing remains a critical hurdle for MSMEs. Furthermore, disruptions in global supply chains have affected the production capacity and profitability of these businesses,” said Okpanachi.
He also pointed to the Nigerian government’s ongoing efforts to assist the MSME sector through various initiatives aimed at stimulating economic growth. Okpanachi noted that the DBN Annual Lecture Series is one of the bank’s initiatives to complement these governmental measures in rejuvenating the MSME sector.
Okpanachi expressed optimism that this year’s lecture will present innovative strategies to boost the productivity of Nigeria’s real sector and enable MSMEs to succeed despite the prevailing challenges.
