IT NEWS NIGERIA
… Says Small businesses are the rock of the Economy
IT NEWS NIGERIA:
Facebook today launched its Nigerian Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Council, the first in Africa and part of its ongoing commitment to support small businesses across the continent.
Speaking in a passionate presentation at the unveiling in Lagos, Facebook’s Small and Medium Business (SMB) Sales Manager for Europe Middle East and Africa, (EMEA), Abi Williams said SMEs contribute immensely in Africa and that “we are starting a revolution and we are going to lead the way from Nigeria to the world.”
She revealed that the 22 million active monthly users in Nigeria are hugge opportunities for small businesses, adding that, across the globe, SMEs are taking advantage of 2 billion global users of the platform.
Furthermore, Williams said SMEs are leading the way in Nigeria contributing over 80% jobs to the economy.
“If SMEs do not grow economy would be in shackles. SMEs are the rock of the economy.”
“Small businesses form the backbone of most of the thriving economies in the world, driving sustainable growth and creating jobs, and those in Nigeria are no different. Facebook is strategically positioned to help SME’s grow their businesses, and with a vibrant SME sector, Nigeria was a natural choice in launching our very first SME Council on the African continent. With 35 million people in other countries connected to a Nigerian business on Facebook, the global market has never been closer for Nigerian SMEs,” she said.
The Platform, IT NEWS NIGERIA gathered, offers Small businesses equal playing field and open doors of opportunities to the world.
The Nigerian SME Council brings together Facebook Africa’s SME team and Nigerian business owners from a range of industries, in a partnership designed to provide better digital tools for business and customer growth.
Made up of a combination 15 vibrant start-ups and established SMEs from a range of industries, each business brings with them a wealth of unique experiences in understanding and embracing digital and mobile strategies, as well as reaching the Nigerian customer – making them ideally positioned to offer support to other companies who need it.
The Nigerian SME Council
The Nigerian SME Council is made up of 15 small-to-medium sized business owners in varying sectors and locations across Nigeria, including Lagos, Abuja and Enugu and Kano
The Nigerian SME Council joins 10 SME Councils across the globe, including North America, Ireland, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Sweden, Poland, India and Brazil
Council members will meet a minimum of twice a year with Facebook and Instagram teams to discuss successes and challenges, business ideas and solutions
Nigerian SME Council Members
Paylater, DigitxPlus, Wakanow, Afro Foods & Spice Nigeria, The Legit Way Out, Easyshop Easycook, Hush’D, One Stop Baby Shop Nigeria, Mamalette, Bombay to Beirut, GIGM.com, Naphtali Party Rentals, Ìkòkò, and STM Magical Creations Ltd.
Sherry Dzinoreva, Public Policy Programs Manager Facebook, EMEA speaking at the event
