- July 6, 2021
- Posted by: adminer
- Category: Trade and Industry
The Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele, says the bank will increase its development finance interventions to further support start-ups and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the country.
Emefiele made the pledge while delivering the 51st Convocation Lecture of the University of Lagos, Akoka, on Monday in Lagos.
The lecture has “National Development and Knowledge Economy in the Digital Age: Leapfrogging SMEs in the 21st Century”, as its topic.
The CBN governor said that increased access to finance for start-ups and SMEs was highly essential for the nation’s economy to grow.
He advised that special consideration should be given to the strengthening of physical and ICT infrastructure, to enable SMEs perform more efficiently and become globally competitive.
“The potential of SMEs in enhancing economic growth is hampered by limited access to finance, inadequate infrastructure and poor digital penetration.
“I urge government and the private sector to provide more support in addressing the challenges of SMEs in the country.
“Specifically, as users of new technology, I advise that policies that would incentivise the adoption of innovations that will improve SMEs competitiveness and productivity should be made,” he said.
He urged relevant stakeholders to deepen reforms that would improve human capital development through skills enhancement and proper linkage of research to the SME sector.