Access Bank Trains 100 Entrepreneurs in Debut SME Academy, Boosts Capacity for Small Businesses

Access Bank has launched the maiden edition of its SME Academy, equipping 100 entrepreneurs with practical training in taxation, business valuation, financial management, customer service, and proper business structuring. The three-day programme, held in Lagos, is part of the bank’s renewed commitment to strengthening small businesses across Nigeria.

Speaking at the closing session, the Group Head of SME Banking at Access Bank Plc, Abiodun Olubitan, said the curriculum was designed around the real challenges business owners face in their early growth stages.

When developing the curriculum, we focused on the issues SMEs struggle with every day. Valuation, taxation, financial management, and customer service are all foundational. We also taught them how to use the data they already have to grow,” she said.

Olubitan noted that the sessions were highly interactive, with some classes extending beyond schedule due to the volume of questions from participants. She explained that a key part of the academy was simplifying the recently introduced tax policy that caused confusion among many small business owners.

“The new tax policy created panic for a lot of entrepreneurs. We broke it down how it affects their operations, the implications, and how they can stay compliant. Policies will keep improving, but compliance is where many SMEs struggle. That is where we come in.”

She added that Access Bank is also prioritising support for micro-SMEs that operate informally using personal accounts. “We can already see their cash flow, so we designed facilities to support them based on that data. As their businesses grow, we help them formalise over time.”

Participants described the programme as timely and transformative. Mosebola Lawal, founder of an agro-processing business, said the academy exposed her to critical business knowledge she previously lacked.

“Now I understand the taxes required for my business and personally. I learnt about VAT, business planning, and the Pro Max tax system. This training will help me restructure properly.”

Another participant, Gbenga Aboye of Grand Made Limited, said the programme provided clarity he had long needed. “It has been three days of mind-shifting learning. The leadership and customer service sessions were powerful, but the tax class was the breakthrough for me. I now know exactly what to do.”

He added that SMEs must build “capacity, character, and competence” to thrive in today’s business environment.

Encouraging entrepreneurs to stay resilient, Access Bank reiterated that entrepreneurship is “a marathon, not a sprint,” and urged business owners to embrace continuous capacity building as the market evolves.