Access Bank Plc has partnered with global consultancy firm Deloitte to roll out a nationwide SME Business Clinic in a move to strengthen Nigeria’s small and medium-sized enterprises.
The collaboration is aimed at providing entrepreneurs with expert guidance, access to finance, and practical market insights.
The initiative, launched in Lagos and simultaneously held in 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.
“Today’s clinic is not like visiting a doctor,” Giles added. “There are over 50 experts, including our partners at Deloitte, waiting to help you build a thriving, sustainable business.”
Also speaking at the event, Partner, Tax and Regulatory Services at Deloitte, Toluwalogo Odutayo, said the collaboration with Access Bank aligns with Deloitte’s mission to help unlock the economic potential of SMEs in Nigeria.
She stated that while SMEs contribute more than 51 per cent to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product, the sector still suffers from deep-rooted inefficiencies that hinder profitability and growth.
“Partnering with Access Bank on this initiative is significant because SMEs are a critical focus for us. Last year alone, they contributed over 51 per cent to Nigeria’s GDP, a remarkable figure. But we know the potential is even greater,” Odutayo said.
She commended Access Bank’s practical approach, describing the clinic as a shift from rhetoric to real, on-the-ground support.
“What we appreciate about Access Bank is that they’re not just talking; they’re doing. They’ve taken all the talk and turned it into practical support through platforms like this,” she added.
Odutayo also stressed the importance of timely, reliable business information, particularly in tax compliance, employment law, and financial management.
“We’ve seen businesses mismanage funds because they weren’t structurally ready. This clinic is designed to help you get it right, from the inside out,” she said.
Additionally, the Group Head of SME Banking at Access Bank, Abiodun Olubitan, highlighted the bank’s flexible approach to financing SMEs, especially those that may not yet meet conventional lending requirements.
Olubitan said the bank was committed to providing solutions that match the growth trajectory of small businesses while also supporting their transition into scalable enterprises.
The PUNCH reported that the United States International Development Finance Corporation and Access Bank announced a $280m deal that will boost small and medium-scale enterprises’ financing in Nigeria.
