In a strategic effort to unlock the potential of Nigeria’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), Access Bank Plc has teamed up with global consultancy firm Deloitte to deliver a nationwide SME Business Clinic, an initiative designed to support entrepreneurs with expert guidance, access to finance, and practical market insights.
Launched in Lagos and concurrently held in Abuja, the SME business clinic is scheduled to run across major Nigerian cities throughout the year. Themed “Building a Resilient, Profitable and Future-Ready Business in Nigeria,” the clinic aims to provide hands-on advisory services tailored to the operational realities of SMEs, from nano-enterprises to growth-stage businesses.
The event brought together over 50 Deloitte professionals, including auditors, tax consultants, legal experts, and financial advisers, to offer personalised guidance to participating SMEs. These experts helped business owners tackle real-world issues such as regulatory compliance, tax structuring, cash flow management, and expansion strategy with a focus on making SMEs resilient in a volatile economic climate.
Rob Giles, senior banking advisor at Access Bank, underscored the bank’s long-standing commitment to nurturing the SME ecosystem, noting that Access Bank currently serves over 7.5 million SME customers across the country.
“That’s 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.”
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He emphasised that insights gathered over years of engagement with entrepreneurs have consistently pointed to three major challenges: access to finance, access to markets, and access to the right information. According to him, the business clinic was built around addressing these very needs.
“What you have told us is that you need three things: access to information and advice, access to markets, and access to finance. That is what we are here to provide,” Giles added.
Unlike generic business training, the Clinic offers one-on-one advisory sessions with over 50 Deloitte professionals including auditors, tax consultants, legal experts, and financial advisers. These experts help business owners tackle real-world issues such as regulatory compliance, tax structuring, cash flow management, and expansion strategy with a focus on making SMEs resilient in a volatile economic climate.
“Today’s clinic is not like visiting a doctor,” Giles said. “There are over 50 experts, including our partners at Deloitte, waiting to help you build a thriving, sustainable business.”
From Deloitte’s perspective, the collaboration with Access Bank represents a shared commitment to bridging structural gaps within Nigeria’s SME sector. Toluwalogo Odutayo, Partner, Tax and Regulatory Services at Deloitte, noted that while SMEs already contribute more than half of Nigeria’s GDP, the sector still faces structural inefficiencies that limit scale and profitability.
She said: “Partnering with Access Bank on this initiative is significant because SMEs are a critical focus for us. You’ve likely heard it said many times that SMEs are the backbone of the economy. Last year alone, they contributed over 51 per cent to Nigeria’s GDP, a remarkable figure. But we know the potential is even greater. The challenge now is how to structure and strengthen SMEs to do better and that’s why we’re here today.”
Odutayo also stressed the importance of access to timely, relevant business information, particularly in areas suc2qh as tax compliance, employment law, and financial management areas where uninformed decisions can have costly consequences.
“We’ve seen businesses mismanage funds because they weren’t structurally ready,” she added. “This Clinic is designed to help you get it right, from the inside out.”
Also speaking at the event, Abiodun Olubitan, group head of SME Banking at Access Bank, highlighted the bank’s flexible approach to financing SMEs, especially those not yet ready for traditional lending models.
“We understand that at different stages of growth, SMEs might not be ready for big borrowings,” Olubitan explained. “That’s why we offer collateral-free loans based on the cash flow we see in your business. We analyse your sales trend and profile you for funding accordingly.” Some of the entrepreneurs who attended the Lagos clinic described the experience as transformational.
Founder of Oge’s Closet and Hair Hub, Ogechi Eze, and a long-time Access Bank customer, praised the bank’s consistent support for her business.
“Access Bank has been guiding and supporting my business for over five years, and this clinic is just another example of that commitment. The initiative is a wonderful one, very impactful, and after today my business will go higher and better than what it is doing today.”
Imomoh Kenedy, founder of Momoh International Servicessaid the event opened his eyes to a range of previously untapped financial tools.
“Access Bank has opened my eyes to a lot of things. They have made me understand that there are an array of accounts to tap into as a business to be more strategic and ultimately more profitable. Access to finance is not just about loans it’s about using the right tools to grow your business.”
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