In a strategic effort to deepen support for Nigeria’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), Access Bank Plc has launched a nationwide SME Business Clinic in collaboration with global consultancy firm Deloitte.
The initiative aims to provide entrepreneurs with practical tools to build resilient, profitable, and future-ready businesses.
The program, themed “Building a Resilient, Profitable and Future-Ready Business in Nigeria,” was officially launched in Lagos and concurrently held in Abuja, with plans to expand to other key cities across Nigeria throughout the year.
The SME Business Clinic offers tailored advisory services, access to finance, and structured market insights. It is designed to support businesses at all stages — from nano-enterprises to established SMEs — through expert-led guidance on issues such as regulatory compliance, tax structuring, business expansion, and financial planning.
Over 50 Deloitte professionals — including tax consultants, auditors, legal experts, and financial advisors — were deployed to deliver direct consultations to attending SMEs.
The initiative targets the root challenges facing Nigerian entrepreneurs and seeks to address them with practical, implementable solutions.
Rob Giles, Senior Banking Advisor at Access Bank, reaffirmed the bank’s long-standing commitment to Nigeria’s SME ecosystem. “Access Bank currently serves over 7.5 million SME customers. That’s a privilege, but also a massive responsibility,” he said. “At Access Bank, we only win if you win. Our business grows when your business grows.”
He identified access to finance, access to markets, and access to actionable information as the three recurring barriers hindering SME scalability in Nigeria.
The partnership with Deloitte, he noted, is structured to close these gaps and foster sustainable business growth.
Abiodun Olubitan, Group Head of SME Banking at Access Bank, said “We understand that at different stages of growth, SMEs might not be ready for big borrowings. That’s why we offer collateral-free loans based on the cash flow we see in your business.”
Through a data-driven evaluation of sales and cash flow trends, Access Bank is extending targeted funding to SMEs that would otherwise be excluded from conventional lending structures.
The bank also offers tailored financial products to match specific business lifecycles.
Ogechi Eze, Founder of Oge’s Closet and Hair Hub and a long-time Access Bank customer, described the experience as transformational.
“Access Bank has consistently supported my business. This clinic helped me see new ways to structure and scale,” she said.
With this program, Access Bank and Deloitte are positioning themselves as facilitators of inclusive economic growth, bridging Nigeria’s SME finance and advisory gaps while aligning with broader national objectives for job creation and economic diversification.
