Access Bank Plc has teamed up with global consultancy firm Deloitte to launch a nationwide SME Business Clinic, aiming to strengthen Nigeria’s small and medium-sized enterprises.
This partnership will provide entrepreneurs with expert guidance, improved access to finance, and practical market insights to help their businesses grow.
The initiative, recently launched simultaneously in Lagos and Abuja, will extend to major Nigerian cities throughout the year. Under the theme ‘Building a Resilient, Profitable and Future-Ready Business in Nigeria,’ the clinic offers hands-on advisory services tailored to the needs of SMEs, ranging from nano-enterprises to growth-stage businesses.
The business clinic features over 50 Deloitte professionals—including auditors, tax consultants, legal experts, and financial advisers—providing one-on-one sessions to help SMEs tackle complex challenges. Support covers key areas such as regulatory compliance, tax structuring, cash flow management, and growth strategies.
The Senior Banking Advisor at Access Bank, Rob Giles, stated that the bank currently supports more than 7.5 million SME customers nationwide.
He emphasized that this initiative demonstrates the bank’s ongoing dedication to fostering SME growth and empowering business owners in a challenging economic climate.
“That is a privilege, but also a massive responsibility,” Giles said. “At Access Bank, we only win if you win. Our business grows when your business grows. What you’ve told us is that you need three things: access to information and advice, access to markets, and access to finance. That’s what we’re here to provide.”
The SME Business Clinic differs from traditional seminars by providing personalized sessions where experts directly address the unique challenges of each individual business.
“Today’s clinic is not like visiting a doctor,” Giles added. “There are over 50 experts, including our partners at Deloitte, waiting to help you build a thriving, sustainable business.”
Speaking at the event, Partner in Tax and Regulatory Services at Deloitte, Toluwalogo Odutayo, said the collaboration with Access Bank aligns with Deloitte’s goal to unlock the economic potential of Nigerian SMEs.
She noted that although SMEs contribute over 51 percent to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product, the sector continues to face significant inefficiencies that limit profitability and growth.
“Partnering with Access Bank on this initiative is significant because SMEs are a critical focus for us. Last year alone, they contributed over 51 per cent to Nigeria’s GDP, a remarkable figure. But we know the potential is even greater,” Odutayo said.
She commended Access Bank’s practical approach, describing the clinic as a shift from rhetoric to real, on-the-ground support.
“What we appreciate about Access Bank is that they’re not just talking; they’re doing. They’ve taken all the talk and turned it into practical support through platforms like this,” she added.
Odutayo also emphasized the critical need for timely and reliable business information, especially regarding tax compliance, employment law, and financial management.
The Group Head of SME Banking at Access Bank, Abiodun Olubitan, emphasized the bank’s flexible financing options for SMEs that may not qualify for traditional loans.
He reaffirmed the bank’s dedication to providing solutions that support small businesses’ growth and help them evolve into scalable enterprises.
