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͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­

	Forwarded this email? Subscribe here for more Up and Grateful Are you? MSME Africa Pulse Dec 14   READ IN APP   Dear entrepreneurs, It's the festive season and I told you I have been attending lots of parties this season. Up and Grateful by Segun Johnson is one jamz that I have listened to so many times this season at different functions. It’s living rent-free in my head. Thanks for reading MSME Africa Pulse! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. Pledge your support The message of the song is simple- You should be grateful even for the things that are considered ‘normal’ and taken for granted like being able to wake up and move your limbs. As entrepreneurs, we're wired to strive for more – more growth, more revenue, more success. Yet, in our pursuit of the extraordinary, we can overlook the small, ordinary things that truly make a difference. The loyal customer who's been with you since day one, the team member who goes above and beyond, or the simple fact that you get to do what you love every day – these are the things that deserve our gratitude and appreciation. As we celebrate the festive season and look to the new year, let's make a conscious effort to cultivate a spirit of gratitude. Let's acknowledge the little victories, appreciate the people who support us, and trust that even in uncertain times, there's always something to be thankful for. Wishing you a joyous, grateful, and uplifting holiday season! So what are you grateful for this season? I’ll be waiting for your responses. You just never can tell if you are that person who will get something ‘Hooooge’ from us. Let’s just say we are in a “giving” mood; it's the festive season ! Here’s what I have for you today: Trending Business News Opportunities Galore Fun Facts about Entrepreneurship Some Resources for you Trending Business News SMEDAN Raises Concerns Over Unused N615 Million MSME Support Funds The Director General of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Charles Odii, has raised concerns over the underutilization of a N615 million fund earmarked for small business owners. He also highlighted other overlooked benefits, such as a 20% logistics discount offered by a partner firm, emphasizing SMEDAN’s role in advancing businesses from Nano to Medium enterprises within Nigeria’s MSME ecosystem. Read more DBN Secures €50Million Credit to Boost Women-Owned Businesses in Nigeria The Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) has obtained a €50 million credit line from the French Development Agency (AFD) to empower women entrepreneurs and enhance their access to financing. More details HERE AFAWA initiative teams with African Guarantee Fund, Bank of Industry for $50 Million Financing Agreement Targeting Nigerian MSMEs The African Development Bank Group’s Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA) program is lending its support to a new $50 million financing agreement to provide financial and business support to Nigeria’s women-led enterprises. The transaction will be phased out in three tranches over a ten-year period Read more Lagos State Targets Distribution of 1 Million POS Machines to Boost Youth Employment and MSMEs Lagos State has set an ambitious target of distributing 1 million Point of Sale (POS) machines to youths, men, and women by the end of the current administration. This initiative aims to create jobs and enhance the growth of small-scale businesses in the state. Get more details HERE Firm Unveils Tech Hub For Disadvantaged Children The Offshore Lab, in collaboration with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) and Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), has launched its second Junior Lab technology hub in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. Located at Daisy’s Home for Special Children, this initiative aims to equip disadvantaged children with practical skills in technology and innovation. Read more Opportunity Galore Call For Application: Women in Digital Business (WiDB) Program For Africa Women Entrepreneurs WiDB addresses the critical challenges faced by women entrepreneurs, particularly in non-tech Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). The program offers a comprehensive curriculum combining the ITCILO Women in Digital Business course, the globally acclaimed ILO Start and Improve Your Business (SIYB) training, and a tailored Formalization Support Course. Apply today Call For Applications:SARA BY WEMA/ EDC/ Mastercard Foundation Transforming Nigerian Youths Program For Young Nigerian Entrepreneurs (up to N5 Million Grant Award) SARA BY WEMA, in collaboration with Enterprise Development Centre (EDC), and MasterCard Foundation proudly presents a transformative initiative aimed at equipping Nigerian youths, especially female entrepreneurs, with essential entrepreneurial and managerial skills. Get more details and apply. Call For Applications: ODF/The Nest Startup Accelerator Program The goal of the Startup Launchpad is to accelerate the growth and innovation of startups as well as developing new AI-powered solutions.Selected startups will gain access to knowledge/skills, mentorship, networking and funding opportunities. Get more details HERE Call For Applications: LSE 100X Impact Accelerator 2025 For Social Entrepreneurs (Up to £150,000 grant) 100x Impact Accelerator, a world-leading social impact accelerator based at the London School of Economics (LSE) has launched applications for its 2025/2026 Cohort of social ventures. They are looking for highly scalable models, that can be for-profit or non-profit, addressing global challenges in the areas of climate and environment, democracy, education, health, and social cohesion, among others. Get more details here. You can access many more opportunities HERE Fun Facts about Entrepreneurship Did you know that the term "social entrepreneurship" was first coined in the 1980s by Ashoka founder Bill Drayton? Ashoka is a global organization that supports social entrepreneurs worldwide. Drayton, an American entrepreneur, is often referred to as the "godfather of social entrepreneurship." Drayton's vision was to identify and support individuals who were using innovative solutions to address social problems. Today, social entrepreneurship has become a global movement, with thousands of organizations and individuals working to create positive social change. Some Resources For You The Importance of Daily Income for Entrepreneurs in Contemporary Business 7 Online Businesses That Are On The Rise Among Entrepreneurs Poultry Farming in Nigeria: 15 Mistakes To Avoid as a Newbie _______________________________________ For more news, opportunities, resources, and other items, kindly visit: www.msmeafricaonline.com Follow us on social media: YouTube , Instagram, Twitter (X), Facebook, LinkedIn Join other Entrepreneurs across Africa in the MSME Africa Community HERE Till next time Ododoola, MSME Africa Thanks for reading MSME Africa Pulse! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. Pledge your support MSME Africa Pulse is free today. But if you enjoyed this post, you can tell MSME Africa Pulse that their writing is valuable by pledging a future subscription. You won't be charged unless they enable payments. Pledge your support   Like Comment Restack   © 2024 MSME Africa 548 Market Street PMB 72296, San Francisco, CA 94104 Unsubscribe