Kwara State Ease of Doing Business Council (EODBC)) on Friday organised a one-day workshop to build the capacity of entrepreneurs and investors in the state on how to access credit facility to strengthen their businesses, build a strong network for exports, and better manage their portfolios for growth.

Themed ‘Access to Credit for Investors in Kwara State’, the programme was attended by government officials, members of the Council, captains of industry, banking institutions, financial experts, artisans, and marketers’ associations. The session featured lectures by Dr Ayinde Salihu Mosadi from the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Kwara State Coordinating Unit; Oluremi Agboola and Nnenna Jacob-Ogogo from First City Monument Bank (FCMB); and Head of Credit Risk Management, Sterling Bank, Olukayode Oyebangbose.

They spoke on key areas like streamlining the export certification process for investors; unlocking credit opportunities to empower investors with the financial tools they need; and managing debt and ensuring long-term financial sustainability.

Amongst dignitaries in attendance are the Commissioner of Finance and Chairman of EODBC, Dr Hauwa Nuru; Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Hon. Olohuntoyisi Thomas; Commissioner for Business Innovation and Technology, Hon. Damilola Yusuf Adelodun; Commissioner for Solid Minerals Dr Afeez Abolore; Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development Dr Segun Ogunsola; Chairman, State Internal Revenue Service (KW-IRS) Mrs Folashade Omoniyi; Permanent Secretary Training and Establishment, Alhaji Muhammed Ibrahim; Chief Press Secretary to the Governor Rafiu Ajakaye; Chairman, State Geographical Information Service (KWAGIS) Alhaji Abdulkareem Babatunde Sulyman; representative of the National Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME) Alhaji Babatunde Arikewola.

Picture showing participants at the workshop

Dr. Nuru said they organised the workshop to create access to credit facility for entrepreneurs with a view to growing, innovating, and competing effectively in their businesses.

According to her, the government has been improving the ease of doing business in the state by streamlining processes, reducing bureaucratic bottlenecks, and prioritising access to credit towards building a steady business ecosystem.

“Today’s workshop focuses on one of the most critical aspects of business success: access to credit. For businesses to grow, innovate, and compete effectively, access to affordable and timely financing is indispensable, hence the bringing together of experts, industry leaders, and stakeholders to discuss and explore key areas,” she said.

Dr Mosadi, in his presentation, said the ease of doing business policy of the state government has the capacity to promote the size of products being exported from the state.He said Kwara, as of today, has about 487 registered exporters, who he said need to be more active for positive outcomes.

He said Kwara, as of today, has about 487 registered exporters, who he said need to be more active for positive outcomes. He urged business owners to register their businesses with the NEPC at the sum of thirteen thousand naira (N13,000) to help promote their products and expose them to the international markets.

Financial experts Agboola, Jacob-Ogogo and Oyebangbose spoke on various opportunities their banks offer entrepreneurs to develop businesses and ensure financial inclusion.

Some of the participants who spoke at the event took turns to appreciate the government for the workshop and charged the Nigeria Export Promotion Council to do more advocacy for people to know their operations, calling on financial institutions to make their process of obtaining business loans more friendly.