MSMEs Urged To Deepen Industry Collaboration Against Macroeconomic Fluctuations

The Small, Medium-sized Enterprises(SMEs) in the country have been urged to leverage industry-specific networks to position their business better and forge positive business collaboration against macroeconomic fluctuations in the country.

Speaking in Lagos ahead of their 10th FATE Business Outlook and Alumni General Meeting (AGM), the dean & director of The FATE School, Bambo Adebowale said, businesses must learn to utilise industry-specific networks related to their sector for insights and. opportunities.

Adebowale said: “Over the past decade, this platform has grown into a powerful avenue for entrepreneurs within our alumni community, providing them with invaluable insights to drive sustainable growth in their businesses.  When we launched Business Outlook in 2016, our vision was to create a knowledge-driven forum that would equip entrepreneurs with the tools to navigate the ever-evolving business landscape.

“We recognised the need for a strategic gathering where real-life business challenges and opportunities could be analysed with practical solutions. Today, that vision has materialised into an impactful event, fostering innovation, resilience, and market positioning for hundreds of businesses.”

On the conference-themed: ‘The Good, The Bad, and the Opportunities,’ Adebowale said, it was timely for businesses to recognise and understand the power of networks in the face of macroeconomic fluctuations.

“Given Nigeria’s dynamic economic landscape, entrepreneurs are constantly faced with both challenges and possibilities. The 2025 Business Outlook will provide practical strategies to help businesses adapt, innovate, and scale in the face of macroeconomic fluctuations. It will also be a celebration of ten years of impact, insights, and transformation within the FATE Alumni community,” he said.

The senior programs manager and the head of Growth & Alumni Services, FATE Foundation, Oluwaseun Oshoniyi explained that, ‘we are committed to equipping business owners with the knowledge and networks they need to thrive.’

She noted that over the years, the business outlook has addressed critical issues such as market positioning, policy changes, revenue growth, and economic trends.

“Beyond the insights, this event is about community. We recognise that entrepreneurship is a journey best navigated with support, shared experiences, and continuous learning. This 10th-anniversary edition is both a celebration of past successes and a springboard for future opportunities. The event will allow attendees to connect with like-minded people and forge positive business collaborations,” she said.