Angola's National Institute of Support for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (INAPEM) is considering adopting Nigeria's mySMEville framework, a digital platform developed through a partnership between MTN Nigeria and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN). The move follows rapid growth of the platform, which was created to address funding, infrastructure, market access, and information challenges facing Nigeria's micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Delegation Visit to MTN Headquarters
An Angolan delegation led by INAPEM Chairman Bráulio Augusto visited MTN's headquarters to study the initiative. The platform targets a sector comprising over 40 million businesses, contributing 48% to Nigeria's GDP and accounting for 84% of employment, yet facing significant growth barriers. According to partners, only 3.9% of small businesses have access to formal credit, leaving an estimated $158 billion annual financing gap.
Expansion and Impact
Launched after a memorandum of understanding between MTN and SMEDAN in November 2025, mySMEville began with a pilot program involving over 200 businesses in Lagos and has since expanded to more than 2,600 businesses nationwide. The platform provides digital tools, market access, and financial linkages to help MSMEs overcome operational hurdles.
Public-Private Partnership Success
SMEDAN Director-General Dr. Charles Odii emphasized that the collaboration demonstrates how public and private sector partnerships can address challenges facing small businesses across Africa. He stated, "The success of this collaboration proves that Africa's $158 billion MSME funding and digital gap cannot be solved in isolation. It requires a borderless mindset. Hosting our partners from Angola demonstrates that when public policy aligns with private-sector technology, we build an unstoppable ecosystem capable of formalizing and transforming millions of businesses across the continent."
MTN Nigeria's Chief Enterprise Business Officer, Lynda Saint-Nwafor, highlighted the company's commitment to building platforms that support enterprise growth and economic development. She said, "At MTN Business, our mission is clear: we want to be the leading technology partner that helps African enterprises grow, compete, and make a lasting impact. We are focused on building meaningful platforms and solutions that scale, creating ecosystems that truly speed up inclusive economic growth for everyone."
Future Prospects
The adaptation of mySMEville in Angola could serve as a model for other African nations seeking to leverage digital platforms to strengthen their MSME sectors. The initiative underscores the potential for cross-border collaboration in addressing common economic challenges.
