Driving Resilient Economies Through the Digitization of Small and Medium Enterprises - Newstrends
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Driving Resilient Economies Through the Digitization of Small and Medium Enterprises

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4 years ago

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Gerald Maithya

Startups Lead Microsoft Africa Transformation Office

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are a crucial part of contributing to Africa’s inclusive socio-economic growth. These businesses anchor the economies of countries and are contributing to inclusive socio-economic growth. In emerging economies, SMEs account for 40% of GDP,  and generate at least 90% of new jobs.

This is even more pronounced in Africa, where more than 60% of Africa’s population is under the age of 25. SMEs account for about 80% of jobs in Africa, while the African Union Development Agency notes that up to 90% of the population in African countries such as Uganda, Ethiopia, and Kenya are employed within SMEs.

In Nigeria, SMEs account for 96% of businesses, and 84% of employment in the country, and contribute 48% of the country’s GDP, according to a PricewaterhouseCoopers report. Of these SME’s, 55% are in wholesale or retail business.

SMEs employ people, supply products and services and act as an important link in the manufacturing value chain, generating economic activity along the way. The way that many manufactured products reach consumers is through SMEs, usually through a network of small independent retail stores such as dukas and kiosks in Kenya, ojas in Nigeria, hanouts in Morocco or spaza shops in South Africa. In doing so, SMEs are the cornerstone of most economies. By enabling SMEs to grow and compete in the value chain, countries’ economies can be strengthened.

SMEs face many obstacles on the path to success

Despite the important role SMEs play in African economies, there are several challenges standing in the way of their survival and success. In fact, research indicates that up to 80% of African SMEs fail within the first five years, despite having the highest entrepreneurship rate in the world. Infrastructure and connectivity, access to business enablement tools, access to finance and digital skills are all potential stumbling blocks for SMEs.

The biggest obstacle most SMEs face is accessing finance and affordable lending. These businesses frequently lack suitable information such as a credit history, financial statements and other prerequisite data points, while the traditional credit-scoring models that many financial institutions use prejudice SMEs. Without access to working capital, SMEs are unable to invest in their business and grow. There is a need to enable tools that SMEs can utilise to collect and manage transactional data that can be used to provide valuable business insights to guide decision-making for the SME, and that can be leveraged to create financial reports.

Digitising SMEs has benefits that support economic growth

Digitisation can help businesses build a financial and transactional history that helps them access loans. This information and well-organised data can enable access and diversification of financing for SMEs in Africa. This financing in turn helps them grow their business, employ more people and contribute to their country’s economy.

Microsoft engages with international organisations such as the IFC, and local financial services institutions, to create innovative financing mechanisms for SMEs on the African continent that enable them to build a credit record and differentiated data sets that tell the story of the business rather than a pure money-in-money-out overview. This allows for a wider range of borrowing opportunities, enabling SMEs to become part of the integrated value chain and participate in the formal economy.

Business tools are an important part of the journey

To successfully complete their digitisation journey, these small and medium businesses also need connectivity and devices that are suitable for business development. Challenges around connectivity and device affordability are certainly not new to Africa. Though the issue of internet access varies considerably depending on the country in question, high cost of data is still a major hurdle for many nations across the continent. Research from the Alliance for Affordable Internet shows that just 14 out of 48 countries in Africa have access to affordable internet, with affordability defined as 1GB of mobile prepaid broadband costing two percent or less of the average monthly income.

Microsoft is working to address Africa’s connectivity issues through the Airband Initiative, which provides investment into infrastructure that drives connectivity. The initiative partners with African startups that are overcoming barriers to affordable internet access in unconnected communities by using TV white space (TVWS) and other innovative last-mile access technologies. Accelerated internet adoption is the precursor to digital enablement. Recently, Microsoft announced that it is expanding the Airband Initiative through new partnerships with local and global providers to bring internet access to 100 million Africans by the end of 2025, and working with partner Viasat, Microsoft is extending satellite connectivity to 5 million Africans.

Another sticking point is access to business hardware. The vast majority of SME owners and entrepreneurs in Africa rely on smartphones to run their businesses. However, being able to access devices such as laptops with preloaded software could help business owners to manage their business processes and reap the rewards of access to best-in-class Software as a Solution (SaaS) products more easily.

As a company, Microsoft has recognised that different SMEs have entirely different solution requirements. Microsoft differentiates itself by working with Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) and startups who build software solutions that can be used with Microsoft technologies. This allows businesses of all sizes to these solutions from the marketplace, with the benefit that when curating a business bundle, an SME can look at their specific needs and match to the software that’s in the Microsoft Marketplace.

The digitisation journey must include skills development

SME owners often have little access to business skills development opportunities. Through platforms such as the Africa Transformation Office’s SME Skilling package, Microsoft Learn, the Cloud Academy and LinkedIn Learning, SME owners can increase their business understanding to help their day-to-day business operations, build their business literacy and develop the technical understanding necessary to support their digitisation journey.

Digitisation can significantly enhance financial inclusion, most particularly for unserved and underserved enterprises such as SMEs. Creating an enabling environment for these important economically active businesses that helps them thrive and participate actively in the continent’s economies is essential for sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

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Jetour T2 PHEV Storms Abuja as Jetour Steps Up Nigeria Expansion

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19 hours ago

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September 11, 2026

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Jetour T2 PHEV Storms Abuja as Jetour Steps Up Nigeria Expansion

Abuja is set for a major dose of electrified motoring as Jetour Nigeria takes its technologically advanced T2 Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) to the nation’s capital for an experiential showcase aimed at deepening the brand’s growing footprint in Nigeria.

The Jetour T2 PHEV will headline the Jetour Experience Abuja, scheduled for September 22 to 24, 2026, following the strong reception recorded at the brand’s Lagos edition earlier this year, where customer participation, test drives and sales enquiries reportedly surged.

The move to Abuja, according to Jetour Nigeria, was largely driven by growing demand from motorists in the Federal Capital Territory who have been seeking an opportunity to experience the brand’s latest vehicles, particularly the T2 PHEV.

The Abuja activation will feature test drives, product demonstrations and interactions with Jetour’s technical and sales teams, giving prospective buyers first-hand access to the SUV and its plug-in hybrid technology.

Jetour Nigeria, the sole authorised distributor of the brand in the country, is also leveraging an expanding nationwide dealer network comprising Elizade Nigeria Limited, New Era AutoVehicle Services Limited, Kojo Motors, Germaine Auto Centre, TAB Autos Limited, R.T. Briscoe Motors and Mandilas Autos to strengthen sales and after-sales support across key markets.

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The company said the decision to stage the Abuja experience was also driven by requests from patrons and prospective customers in the capital who want an opportunity to experience Jetour’s latest products, including the technologically advanced T2 PHEV.

The Jetour T2 PHEV combines rugged SUV capability with hybrid efficiency, advanced technology and comprehensive safety features, positioning it as an attractive option for Nigerian motorists seeking performance, comfort and improved fuel economy.

Since its entry into the Nigerian market, Jetour has recorded growing acceptance, with its SUV range gaining popularity among families, professionals and adventure enthusiasts.

The brand’s expanding customer base has been supported by competitive pricing, after-sales service and vehicles engineered to cope with diverse road and driving conditions across Nigeria.

Jetour’s growing reputation has also been reinforced by a number of local and international recognitions spanning product quality, design, innovation and customer satisfaction.

Its vehicles have also earned strong global safety ratings, with the T2 achieving a 5-Star NCAP safety rating, placing it among vehicles meeting high benchmarks for occupant safety.

The Abuja event is expected to feature test drives, product demonstrations and direct interactions with Jetour’s technical and sales teams, giving visitors an opportunity to experience the brand’s products and understand the technology behind the T2 PHEV.

Beyond showcasing its expanding SUV lineup, Jetour said the Abuja activation reflects its commitment to bringing the brand’s ownership and customer experience closer to motorists across Nigeria.

With the Federal Capital Territory as its next destination, Jetour is looking to build on the momentum generated in Lagos while deepening its footprint in one of Nigeria’s most important automotive markets.

 

Jetour T2 PHEV Storms Abuja as Jetour Steps Up Nigeria Expansion

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Honda shakes up Nigeria operations, dissolves HAWA, retains HMN 

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1 day ago

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September 10, 2026

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Honda shakes up Nigeria operations, dissolves HAWA, retains HMN 

Japanese automobile giant, Honda, has overhauled its operations in Nigeria, dissolving its automobile arm, Honda Automobile Western Africa Limited, and folding its business into Honda Manufacturing Nigeria Limited.

The restructuring, which took effect on September 1, 2026, followed the sanctioning of the merger by the Federal High Court, with HMN emerging as the surviving entity.

Under the new arrangement, HAWA, which had been responsible for Honda’s automobile business operations in the country, has ceased to exist as a separate corporate entity, while HMN has taken over its assets, liabilities, contracts, rights, obligations and ongoing business operations.

Honda, however, moved quickly to allay concerns over the development, assuring customers, dealers and business partners that the restructuring would not disrupt its automobile operations or affect the level of service and support they receive.

In a notification to its business partners dated August 31, 2026, Honda said the restructuring had resulted in the consolidation of both companies into “one unified entity”, with HMN assuming all assets, liabilities, rights, obligations, contracts, undertakings and business operations previously held or conducted by HAWA.

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The development means that existing relationships, arrangements and commitments involving HAWA will henceforth be managed and administered by HMN.

The company, however, stressed that the restructuring would not disrupt its automobile business operations in Nigeria.

“Automobile business operations previously conducted by HAWA will continue under HMN without interruption,” Honda assured its partners, adding that it remained committed to maintaining the same level of service, support and cooperation that customers and business partners had come to expect.

The restructuring is also expected to streamline Honda’s corporate structure in Nigeria by bringing its manufacturing and automobile business operations under a single surviving entity.

Honda said it was currently updating relevant corporate records and information as part of the integration process. These include corporate details, registered address, authorised signatories, management information and other related documentation.

It added that any changes requiring the attention of its business partners would be communicated in due course.

The company further requested the continued support and cooperation of its partners during the transition, while providing a copy of the Federal High Court order sanctioning the merger as an appendix to its notification.

 

Honda shakes up Nigeria operations, dissolves HAWA, retains HMN

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Fire Scare at Abuja Train Station as Electrical Fault Sparks Blaze, NRC Assures Passengers

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2 days ago

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September 10, 2026

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Fire Scare at Abuja Train Station as Electrical Fault Sparks Blaze, NRC Assures Passengers

Fire Scare at Abuja Train Station as Electrical Fault Sparks Blaze, NRC Assures Passengers

A minor fire caused by an electrical fault broke out at the Idu Train Station in Abuja on Wednesday night, but the incident did not disrupt operations on the Abuja–Kaduna train route, the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has said.

The fire, which occurred in the station’s low-voltage electrical room, was detected at about 8:30 p.m. and was quickly brought under control by maintenance personnel.

A preliminary inspection showed that some electrical supply cables connected to the station’s control panels were damaged in the incident.

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However, the NRC said the station’s solar power system was not affected, while power had been temporarily restored to the lifts and escalators.

According to the Corporation’s Chief Public Relations Officer, Callistus Unyimadu, all the lifts and escalators are currently operational except Lift 1.

The NRC stressed that the incident had no impact on Abuja–Kaduna train services, assuring passengers that scheduled operations would continue as normal.

The Corporation said its technical team was conducting a detailed assessment to establish the cause of the electrical fault and permanently restore the affected installations.

It added that appropriate safety measures had been put in place while the assessment and remedial work continued.

 

Fire Scare at Abuja Train Station as Electrical Fault Sparks Blaze, NRC Assures Passengers

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