…creating a more competitive operating environment. It also identified limited access to affordable finance as a major obstacle to private-sector expansion. Private-sector credit stood at 21.3 per cent of GDP, below the 33 per cent Sub-Saharan African average and the 47 per cent average for lower-middle-income economies…

…has endorsed the harmonisation of customs procedures alongside expanded access to affordable finance for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), saying the twin reforms are critical to removing trade barriers and accelerating regional economic integration in West Africa. The resolutions were adopted at the close o…

…through the Bank of Industry and Bank of Agriculture to dramatically improve access to affordable finance.” Oyedele also announced plans to strengthen collaboration between the state and the private sector, proposing “a Public Policy Private Partnership framework that will allow the private sector to actively participa…

…accessing formal credit. The World Bank has previously identified limited access to affordable finance as a major constraint affecting Nigerian MSMEs, particularly women-led enterprises. The World Bank and Visa Foundation said the long-term objective is to strengthen the ecosystems around small businesses by combining…

…anchored on seven strategic pillars, including governance and legal reforms, access to affordable finance, digitalisation and data management, capacity building, value-chain development, inclusion of women, youths and persons with disabilities, as well as strategic partnerships and investments. The minister revealed th…