ProvidusUnity Bank says a capacity-building programme for small and medium enterprises, launched six years ago with the Enterprise Development Centre of Pan-Atlantic University, has completed six cohorts and expanded from Lagos to Abuja and Port Harcourt. According to Nairametrics, more than 300 SMEs have benefited from the initiative, which the bank frames as support for economic growth through entrepreneurship.

Discussions about small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria have traditionally centered on access to finance. However, according to Nairametrics, funding alone is insufficient for driving the next phase of SME growth. Entrepreneurs are confronted with challenges such as high operational costs, evolving customer preferences, rapid technological advancements, and increased competition, indicating a need for a broader approach beyond just financial support.

According to TimesLIVE, Africa's economic growth is significantly dependent on the ability of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to efficiently manage financial transactions, endure economic shocks, and engage fully in the market. The development of robust financial systems is essential for these businesses to thrive and contribute to a sustainable economic transition.

Women-led micro, small and medium enterprises in Nigeria's manufacturing, agribusiness and nutrition sectors face persistent barriers to capital, energy, technical skills and market access, according to organisers of an upcoming industry gathering in Lagos. Alitheia Capital, an impact investment and private equity firm, said these constraints are limiting growth and formalisation among women entrepreneurs, highlighting challenges ahead of the event.

Absa Bank Kenya Plc has partnered with Google Hustle Academy to offer business training and financial support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Kenya over the next year. The initiative aims to reach and impact 3,000 SMEs and has already launched three cohort training sessions.

Alitheia Capital has launched its W.O.M.A.N. 2026 programme, an initiative aimed at addressing funding challenges faced by women entrepreneurs in Nigeria. According to Punch, the programme connects more than 300 women-led businesses with investors and professional expertise in an effort to close persistent capital gaps. The initiative reflects broader efforts to expand access to financing for female founders, who often face greater difficulty securing investment for their enterprises.