The Nigeria Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME), in conjunction with MTN MoMo, has introduced a mobile money platform aimed at empowering startups and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to expand their businesses.
Announced at the MTN MoMo and NASME Symposium and Exhibition in Lagos, the initiative signifies a concerted effort to bolster the growth and development of SMEs across Nigeria, as highlighted by Dr Abdulrashid Yerima, the National President of NASME.
“In forging this partnership between MTN MoMo and NASME, we are dedicated to nurturing growth, fostering innovation, and promoting connectivity within our vibrant SME community,” stated Dr Yerima, emphasising the collaborative effort’s alignment with the one-billion-naira youth and women empowerment fund and the broader Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2030.
He continued, “This launch signifies the inception of a transformative journey to introduce the MTN MoMo Wallet and MTN products to NASME, providing a platform for networking, expert-led workshops, and seminars to equip SMEs with essential tools for sustainable growth.”
Representing Yerima at the event, Mr Solomon Aderoju, the National Vice President of NASME, underscored the significance of this collaborative venture between MTN MoMo and NASME.
Elsa Muzzolini, the Chief Commercial Officer at MoMo, expressed gratitude to NASME for the partnership, highlighting MoMo’s dedication to understanding and addressing the specific challenges faced by SMEs in their day-to-day operations.
“We aim to collaborate closely with you, understand your needs, and integrate your suggestions into our services. Your feedback is crucial for our co-design approach to meet our customers’ requirements effectively,” emphasised Muzzolini.
Dr Femi Egbesola, President of the Association of Small Business Owners of Nigeria (ASBON), commended the collaboration between NASME and MoMo, advocating for a proactive approach to address the needs of SMEs more effectively.
Egbesola outlined specific recommendations, emphasising the importance of displaying the business membership organization’s logo on the MoMo platform, utilising SMEs as brand ambassadors, and introducing additional support services such as a free online platform for showcasing products and mentorship programmes.
“These enhancements will not only grant visibility to our partnership but also enable SMEs to thrive with access to credible mentorship and online visibility,” added Egbesola, underscoring the proactive role of MoMo in supporting SMEs’ growth and prosperity.
