In a move to strengthen small and medium-sized enterprises in Nigeria, Access Bank Plc is partnering with Deloitte to roll out a nationwide SME Business Clinic.
According to both parties, the collaboration aims to provide entrepreneurs with expert guidance, access to finance, and practical market insights.
The initiative, launched simultaneously in Lagos and Abuja recently, will run across major Nigerian cities throughout the year. Themed ‘Building a Resilient, Profitable and Future-Ready Business in Nigeria’, the clinic is designed to offer hands-on advisory services tailored to the operational realities of SMEs from nano-enterprises to growth-stage businesses.
The business clinic brings together over 50 professionals from Deloitte, including auditors, tax consultants, legal experts, and financial advisers, who offer one-on-one sessions to help SMEs navigate complex business challenges. The support focuses on areas such as regulatory compliance, tax structuring, cash flow management, and expansion strategies.
Senior Banking Advisor at Access Bank, Rob Giles, noted that the bank currently serves more than 7.5 million SME customers nationwide. He emphasised the bank’s long-standing commitment to SME growth, describing the initiative as part of efforts to empower business owners in a volatile economic environment.
“That is a privilege, but also a massive responsibility,” Giles said. “At Access Bank, we only win if you win. Our business grows when your business grows. What you’ve told us is that you need three things: access to information and advice, access to markets, and access to finance. That’s what we’re here to provide.”
Unlike traditional business seminars, the SME Business Clinic focuses on personalised, problem-solving sessions with experts who address the unique issues confronting individual businesses.