This groundbreaking initiative, spearheaded by Credo by eTranzact, in partnership with the Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) of Pan-Atlantic University and the Global AI Council of Nigeria, is designed to empower Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) with tools, insights, and strategies to integrate AI into their operations.

Since its launch in 2024, the roundtable has reached SMEs in three geo-political zones, with the debut session in Kano, followed by Port-Harcourt, and most recently, Enugu in December 2024.

These sessions have witnessed strong participation from business owners, who have lauded the initiative as a timely and impactful response to the challenges of the digital age.

Speaking on the significance of the project, Niyi Toluwalope, managing director/CEO of eTranzact, stated:

“At eTranzact, we are committed to driving an all-inclusive economy powered by technology. Through this roundtable, we are equipping SMEs—the backbone of Nigeria’s economy—with the knowledge and tools they need to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving global market. AI is no longer a luxury; it’s a necessity, and we are proud to champion this cause.”

Dr. Olawale Anifowose, the country director of the Enterprise Development Centre, of the Pan Atlantic University,  highlighted the program’s alignment with national development goals:

“This initiative represents a unique collaboration between academia, technology, and business. By reaching SMEs in every geo-political zone, we are addressing the needs of businesses at the grassroots level and ensuring they are not left behind in the AI revolution.”

Participants from previous sessions have shared glowing feedback about the program’s impact. Halima Yusuf, a retail business owner from Kano, remarked:

“Before attending the session, AI felt like a foreign concept. Now, I understand how it can help me manage inventory and improve customer experience. This is a game-changer for my business.”

Similarly, Chibuzor Okeke, a fashion entrepreneur from Enugu who spoke about the Credo by eTranzact initiative, noted:

“The roundtable opened my eyes to AI tools that can enhance creativity and streamline production. I am grateful to eTranzact and their partners for bringing this opportunity to us.”

As the Lagos edition approaches, expectations are high for another robust session with SME stakeholders eager to explore the practical applications of AI.

The initiative will continue across Nigeria’s six geo-political zones throughout 2025, ensuring that every region benefits from this transformative program.

Adeshina Adewumi, founder/CEO, Trade Lenda, “As you know, our core mandate is centered around empowering SMEs through strategic financing. Since May 2021, we have facilitated over $5million to support businesses and built systems to remove the access-to-finance gaps associated with growing a thriving business in Nigeria and soon the focus will be across various African markets.

“After closing our Pre-Seed in January 2023, we took a further step in entrenching our footprint across the grassroots and getting to know our user demography better. We rolled out various initiatives to bridge the financial and digital literacy gaps of small business owners across major markets in Nigeria.

“One of those initiatives included the Trade Lenda SME Fair held in Lagos and had the Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, former president of Nigeria, as our Father of the Day and Guest Speaker.

The program which was held in partnership with financial and non-financial institutions like Providus Bank, Paystack, Eazipay, Credo, Baobab+ among others saw representation of SMEs from across various States in Nigeria coming to Lagos, left us with explorative data that we needed to do more for Women and Shariah Complaint Businesses.

For the records, 90% representation were women-led businesses and top 5 businesses who won grants award out of over 2,000 applicants were women.

A journey which started off with Trade Lenda getting fully certified by the Shari’ah Board of Marble Advisory Limited on 11th January 2024 as well as various discussions in line with the theme for the United Nations International Women’s Day 2024 “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress” has now seen us with a clear path with Marble Capital, FSDH Merchant Bank and Sterling Bank to support more women become financially included.

While I must say that we still have lots of other stakeholders in the pipeline, we are happy to launch today and commence tracking the dividends of empowering more women to grow and scale their businesses beyond Nigeria.

“While this specific fund announced is targeted specifically towards women and Shari’ah-Complaint businesses, we would continue to utilize our general pool from our ongoing Seed round to support businesses across gender agnostic lens.

“Over the last years, we have tracked the effect of empowering SMEs; Remarkably, new jobs have been created across our operators in Agriculture, Fast Consumer Moving Goods, Oil and Gas, Renewables and General Trading. One of our top customers recently rolled out their 4^th Gas Plant in Plateau State Nigeria and we have lots of other success stories from across Nigeria. We believe this is just Day 1″, he said.

Find out more by emailing: info@tradelenda.com

The event brought together diverse range of traditional entrepreneurs, startup founders, industry experts and thought leaders for a transformative experience of learning, earning, networking, and collaboration.

At the Trade Lenda Fair, a plethora of products, services, and innovative solutions across various industries were showcased. The exhibitors came from across Lagos, Oyo, Ogun and Kwara state, reflecting the vibrant entrepreneurial spirit and creativity that defines SMEs in Nigeria.

One of the key highlights of the event was the keynote address by the Former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, who shared his journey of entrepreneurship from 1979 till date. 

Several masterclasses were conducted by industry leaders and subject-matter experts within the SME ecosystem in Nigeria. These in-depth workshops on starting, financing, marketing and systems development provided participants with actionable insights, practical strategies, and knowledge essential for driving their business growth and adapting to evolving market trends.

The panel sessions, another feature of the event, was facilitated by notable SME brands and SMEs enablers who shared their stories, expertise, valuable insights and perspectives on subjects such as starting, scaling, digitalizing and leveraging interventions. The deep dive conversations served as interactive dialogue, sparking new ideas and approaches that have the potential to reshape the SME landscape.

Another high point was the award of prizes to the tune of N5 million to the top five winners of the pitch competition. The first prize winner (Posh Meals) also won an all-expense trip to Qatar.

“We are thrilled with the overwhelming response and outcome of the Trade Lenda Fair,” said Adeshina Adewumi, CEO, Trade Lenda and Convener of the Trade Lenda Fair.

“The event provided a unique opportunity for SMEs to connect, learn, and collaborate. The masterclasses and panel sessions, in particular, empowered attendees with the knowledge and inspiration needed to elevate their businesses to new heights.”

He further added that “the success of Trade Lenda Fair can be attributed to the unwavering support of our sponsors: Providus, Eazipay, RedCloud, Paystack and our partners Techeconomy, Credo, Baobab+, Lagos Business School, Shuttlers, Niteon, Changera, Money Africa, LSETF, TechNext, TechCabal and TechPoint. Their collective enthusiasm and dedication have created an environment of innovation and growth, contributing to the event’s impact on the SME ecosystem.”

The Trade Lenda Fair has set a new benchmark for facilitating meaningful interactions, fostering learning, and igniting inspiration within the SME community in Nigeria. As the curtains draw on this year’s event, the organizers look forward to building on this success and continuing to empower SMEs with opportunities and solutions that propel them towards prosperity.

More about Trade Lenda

It is Nigeria’s premier digital lending fintech brand and the Trade Lenda Fair is an annual flagship platform that brings together SMEs, industry experts, and stakeholders to showcase their offerings, share knowledge, and foster collaboration., the event aims to empower SMEs with the tools, insights, and connections needed to thrive in today’s dynamic business environment.