The Global Entrepreneurship Network(GEN) Nigeria has initiated a strategic partnership with Providus Bank that would give budding entrepreneurs access to finance, capacity building, networking opportunity and ecosystem development.
This, according to GEN Nigeria, was to deepen entrepreneurship skills of Nigerians and drive growth in the sector.
Speaking at a media briefing to announce the signing of the strategic partnership agreement between both organisations, in Victoria Island Lagos, on Monday, the managing director, GEN Nigeria, Dr. Olawale Anifowose, said: “This partnership basically means that the work we are doing at the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) Nigeria can be scaled. For the better part of our activities of GEN Nigeria, we only focus on 3 or 4 states but with this partnership, we are able to scale it to 20 locations and that is very significant for us because we want to make the resources and reach more accessible for Nigerians.”
Under this partnership, he said, GEN Nigeria and Providus Bank will collaborate on various activities including: Entrepreneurship Programmes: Together, we implement entrepreneurship programmes that cater to the specific needs of Nigerian entrepreneurs, adding that, these programme will focus on nurturing talent, fostering innovation, and providing access to vital resources and mentorship.
While Providus Bank will extend financial support to GEN Nigeria’s entrepreneurship initiatives, enabling the organization to scale its impact and reach a wider network of entrepreneurs across the country, he added that this support will include grants, investment opportunities, and access to financial services tailored for entrepreneurs.
On capacity building, he noted that, GEN Nigeria and Providus Bank will jointly organise workshops, training sessions, and seminars to equip entrepreneurs with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in their ventures, stressing that, these capacity-building initiatives will cover a wide range of topics including business development, financial management, marketing strategies, and more.
Reacting on ecosystem development, he pointed out that the partnership will focus on strengthening and expanding the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Nigeria by fostering collaborations among stakeholders including startups, investors, and policymakers.
Team Lead, Strategic Partnership and Businesses Development, Providus Bank, Ms. Oluwadamilola Feyide, stated that, the partnership aims to leverage the strengths and expertise of both organizations to foster innovation, provide capacity-building opportunities, and create an enabling environment for entrepreneurship to thrive.
“As part of this 1-year strategic partnership, GEN Nigeria and Providus Bank will join forces to further enhance the entrepreneurial landscape in Nigeria,” she pointed out.
Others in attendance include; Director, Enterprise Development and Promotion, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency Of Nigeria(SMEDAN), Mr. Monday Ewans and the Head, Strategy and Business Development, Providus Bank, Ernest Elue, as well as strategic partners and previous winners of GEN Nigeria competitions.
