MTN to partner Cloud Service Providers to support SMEs in Nigeria
As part of its response to the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy, leading Information Communications Technology (ICT) firm, MTN Nigeria, has assured of its willingness to partner with cloud technology service providers in order to provide support for Small Business Enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria.
The Chief Enterprise Business Officer of MTN Nigeria, Lynda Saint-Nwafor, made this known, while addressing SME business owners at The Revv Programme masterclass themed “Setting Up Your Business for Success: The Technology Advantage”, adding that SMEs are the bedrock of the economy.
Saint-Nwafor, said, “We have the interest of SMEs at heart and whilst we do not provide all the services that are applicable, we are willing to partner with organisations that provide access to technology tools that are relevant to SMEs on a platform that makes it is easy for them to access at the right price.”
She harped on the need for stakeholders to align and find ways to close the gaps that currently exist for SMEs and “assist them in this transformational journey from being digital migrants to becoming digital natives”.
According to Saint-Nwafor, this is what MTN is trying to achieve, stressing that the Revv Program is an initiative from MTN Nigeria to aid small businesses rethink and relearn their operations to enable them mitigate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic using a four-pronged approach that includes masterclasses, access to market, productivity tools support and advisory initiatives.
She encouraged SME owners to leverage available opportunities to be acquainted with technology “because every segment that will control a high percentage of consumption in the future will be online”.
Panelists which include other business leaders at the virtual masterclass session are Chief Executive Officer, Plentywaka and Farmcrowdy Onyeka Akumah; Chief Executive Officer, Clane, Ibrahim Babalola; Founder, CWG & Ausso Leadership Academy, Austin Okere; Chief Digital Officer, MTN Srinivas Rao; and moderator, Associate Director, PWC Nigeria Ada Irikefe.
The virtual masterclass program aims to reach at least 10,000 startups and small businesses. Nine sessions are billed to be delivered by MTN executives and industry experts, while 200 will be selected to join MTN’s Y’ello 200 accelerator programme, thereby giving them exclusive access to a broad range of technology-driven tools and services.
