Onome Amuge
A new initiative aimed at accelerating the growth of Nigeria’s small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) was officially unveiled recently as the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) and Keystone Bank Limited concluded the inaugural MSME Mini-Business Bootcamp. The five-day, high-impact programme, designed to transition entrepreneurs from operational management to business leadership, attracted 100 ambitious participants eager to scale their ventures.
In her keynote address at the grand finale, Chinyere Almona, the LCCI director-general highlighted the critical role of MSMEs in driving Nigeria’s economic growth. “At the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, we strongly believe that the strength of any thriving economy rests on the resilience of its MSMEs. These enterprises drive innovation, job creation, and national development, yet they continue to face challenges ranging from limited access to finance and formalisation barriers to regulatory complexities and stiff competition,” Almona said.
The bootcamp, which ran from November 24 to 28, leveraged the LCCI–Keystone Bank Action-Learning Framework, providing participants with hands-on instruction in business modelling, digital transformation, e-commerce, sustainable finance, and personal development. Entrepreneurs were equipped with practical tools, including Business Model Canvases, marketing plans, cashflow trackers, and 30–60–90-day implementation plans designed to immediately enhance operational and strategic capacity.
Almona emphasised that the programme was more than a training exercise, noting that it represented a launchpad for MSMEs seeking to strengthen market competitiveness and operational efficiency. “The Bootcamp is not the finish line,it is the beginning. Apply the knowledge you have gained. Follow through on your action plans. Stay connected to one another and make use of the advisory and support services available through LCCI and Keystone Bank,” she said.
The partnership with Keystone Bank, which fully funded the programme, showcases an increasing alignment between private-sector finance providers and enterprise development initiatives in Nigeria. Almona described the bank’s commitment as “true corporate responsibility”, which involves investing in people, building capacity, and expanding economic opportunities.
The MSME Business Support & Exhibition Day, held as part of the bootcamp’s finale, provided entrepreneurs with a platform to showcase their products and services to potential partners, investors, and regulatory stakeholders. The exhibition is intended to facilitate direct engagement with institutions offering compliance guidance, financial interventions, formalisation pathways, and enterprise support programmes.
“This afternoon’s MSME Exhibition is a celebration of your hard work. It offers you the chance to showcase your products and services, connect with potential partners, access new markets, and gain visibility that can move your business to the next level,” Almona said.
The LCCI–Keystone Bank Mini-Business Bootcamp exemplifies Nigeria’s growing focus on strengthening capacity and professionalising small businesses, a sector that accounts for a substantial share of national employment. Through a combination of mentorship, hands-on training, and access to financial and regulatory resources, the programme seeks to develop a new generation of entrepreneurs equipped to build scalable, resilient, and sustainable enterprises.
Almona urged participants to continue leveraging the networks and resources developed during the programme. “To our Bootcamp participants, I commend your dedication. Attending an intensive training while managing your businesses is no small task. Use this experience boldly to transform your enterprises and contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s economic development,” she said.
