Onome Amuge
5,300 small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) across Africa recently celebrated their graduation from Google’s Hustle Academy, which demonstrates their commitment to improving their business skills and knowledge. The graduation ceremony follows the positive impact the program has had, with more than 10,300 entrepreneurs participating since its launch in 2022.
The Hustle Academy programme, designed to address the unique challenges faced by SMBs in Africa, provides practical skills and resources to help these businesses grow. This year’s graduation ceremony, which followed the graduation of 5,000 businesses in 2022, marks a growing community of businesses that are committed to continuous learning and improvement. Through the programme, these businesses have been able to overcome obstacles, gain new knowledge and insights, and strengthen their digital skills to help their businesses succeed.
In addition to the graduation ceremony, 15 SMBs have been chosen to receive support from the N75 million Hustle Academy Fund. This initiative aims to provide Nigerian SMBs with a combination of financial assistance, mentorship, and access to business tools, in order to further help them grow and succeed. The chosen businesses, which were selected based on their potential and impact, will receive tailored support from Google and its partners, in order to reach their full potential. The recipients represent various industries and demonstrate the creativity of Nigerian entrepreneurs. They include:
Ifeoma Augusta Anselem,Rae’s Clothing;Femi Bolaji,Wauley Projects Limited;Nafisa Abdulrazaq Sabo, Pinch N’ Dash;Funmilola Moronke Agbayewa,Segunfunmi foods Nigeria Limited;Chigozie Bashua,The Nut Place Limited;John Samuel Andefiki,Kita Farm;Hussaini Aliyu Baba,Lead Way Family Poultry; Aminu Abdulkarim ,A.A.K. Shoes and Constance Ufuoma Edesiri,Stance Fashion Empire.
Others are: Chikere Onyinyechi Breakthrough,Clozetsales;Anita Aletor,Rotela Business Synergy;Ojo Femi Christopher,Foodlane ventures;Angela Jidechukwu Nwabueze,Jelapetra Farms Ltd;Eniola Robert, Ennie Wears; and Blessing Akpan, Inyene Agro processing factory Ltd.
Olumide Balogun, Google West Africa’s Country Director, stated that the passion and resilience shown by the SMBs graduating from the Hustle Academy are truly inspiring. Balogun added that the success of the programme demonstrates the impact that focused training and resources can have on small businesses.
“We are not just celebrating their graduation today; we are recognizing their potential to reshape and invigorate the Nigerian business landscape,” he said.
Femi Bolaji, the founder of Wauley Projects Limited, a Nigerian business that graduated from the Hustle Academy and received funding from the programme, said that the Hustle Academy has provided them with crucial business knowledge and skills. Bolaji added that being chosen for the fund is a major boost that will propel their business forward and help them achieve their goals.
