In enhancing the capabilities of Nigeria’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), Access Bank Plc has partnered with global consultancy Deloitte to launch a nationwide SME Business Clinic.

This program aims to provide entrepreneurs with expert advice, access to financing, and valuable market insights.

Launched in Lagos and concurrently hosted in Abuja, the SME Business Clinic will travel to major Nigerian cities throughout the year.

Under the theme ‘Building a Resilient, Profitable and Future-Ready Business in Nigeria’, the clinic focuses on delivering tailored advisory services that resonate with SMEs’ unique operational challenges, from nano-enterprises to evolving growth-stage businesses.

The event featured over 50 Deloitte professionals, including auditors, tax consultants, legal advisors, and financial experts, who personally guided attending SMEs.

The professionals addressed significant practical challenges such as regulatory compliance, tax structuring, cash flow management, and strategic expansion, all aimed at helping SMEs navigate an unpredictable economic landscape.

Senior Banking Advisor at Access Bank, Rob Giles, emphasised the Bank’s ongoing dedication to fostering the SME ecosystem, saying that Access Bank currently serves more than 7.5 million SME customers nationwide.

Giles said, “This is both a privilege and a substantial responsibility. At Access Bank, our growth is inherently linked to your success. We thrive when your business thrives.”

He highlighted that “insights from years of engagement with entrepreneurs consistently identify three major hurdles: access to finance, markets, and vital information. The Business Clinic is strategically designed to address these specific needs.”

He also noted that “this clinic is unlike a typical consultation. With over 50 experts, including our valued partners at Deloitte, we support you in building a thriving and sustainable business.”

Partner in Tax and Regulatory Services at Deloitte, Toluwalogo Odutayo, said, “The partnership with Access Bank signifies a commitment to addressing structural challenges within Nigeria’s SME sector.”

“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.