Originally published by Trade Hub Communications

Participants gather after the workshop in Lagos, Nigeria. Photo credit: Trade Hub staff.

To address a chronic access to finance gap, the Trade Hub and the Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce (NACC) organized a business-plan development workshop for 15 agribusiness small and medium enterprises (SMEs) on March 8 in Lagos, Nigeria.

“One major challenge that hinders businesses’ ability to access finance in the region is poorly developed business plans that are presented to banks,” said Mr. William Addo, the Trade Hub’s Finance and Investment Specialist, who facilitated the workshop with Ms. Vivian Ani of Highnet Resources, a Financial Advisor in Nigeria who is part of the Hub’s West African network.

NACC’s new Director General, Ms. Joyce Akpata, said, ‘’A focal area for me as I settle in this new role is to build the capacity of our members, of which SMEs form a significant proportion. And I am keen to ensure we get it right and be seen to be adding value to their business while also preparing them to access global opportunities.”

Banyan Global is a subcontractor to Abt Associates on the West Africa Trade Hub Project.