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In a landmark initiative to empower Nigeria’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) for long-term sustainability, Access Bank Plc has partnered with global professional services firm Deloitte to roll out a nationwide SME Business Clinic. The program is designed to equip entrepreneurs with strategic guidance, access to finance, and practical tools to navigate an increasingly complex business environment.
Launched simultaneously in Lagos and Abuja, the clinic is scheduled to expand to other key cities throughout the year under the theme:
“Building a Resilient, Profitable and Future-Ready Business in Nigeria.”
The initiative provides a platform for SMEs—ranging from nano-entrepreneurs to emerging growth-stage enterprises—to receive bespoke advisory services that address regulatory, financial, and operational challenges.
More than 50 Deloitte professionals spanning tax, audit, legal, and business advisory services participated in the Lagos edition, offering tailored support to help SMEs strengthen regulatory compliance, improve tax structuring, manage cash flow, and develop scalable business models. The engagement also underscores a broader push to support risk-resilient entrepreneurship amid economic volatility.
Speaking at the clinic, Rob Giles, Senior Banking Advisor at Access Bank, reaffirmed the bank’s deep-rooted commitment to SME development, noting that the institution now supports over 7.5 million SME customers nationwide.
“That’s a privilege, but also a massive responsibility,” said Giles. “At Access Bank, we only win if our customers win. Our success is directly tied to the success of the businesses we support.”
He pointed to three persistent barriers faced by Nigerian SMEs: limited access to finance, market entry challenges, and insufficient business intelligence.
In line with these insights, Abiodun Olubitan, Group Head of SME Banking at Access Bank, emphasized the bank’s non-traditional approach to SME financing, including collateral-free lending solutions based on verified sales trends and business performance data.
“We recognise that not every SME is ready for large-ticket loans. That’s why we assess your cash flow, not just collateral, to determine eligibility for funding,” Olubitan explained.
The clinic has already received positive feedback from participants. Ogechi Eze, founder of Oge’s Closet and Hair Huband a long-time Access Bank customer, described the experience as transformational, praising the bank’s continued support through both financial services and business development resources.
This strategic collaboration between Access Bank and Deloitte highlights a growing trend of public-private sector partnerships aimed at enhancing financial inclusion, boosting compliance capacity, and accelerating the formalisation of Nigeria’s dynamic SME sector—a critical driver of job creation and inclusive economic growth.
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