The Hustle Alone Ain’t Enough

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	Forwarded this email? Subscribe here for more Plot Twist! The Hustle Alone Ain’t Enough Olu from MSME Africa May 17   READ IN APP   Dear Entrepreneur, I see you. Thanks for reading MSME Africa Pulse! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. Pledge your support Waking up before NEPA even decides what it wants to do. Sending invoices, replying emails, managing staff wahala, and still showing up on Instagram like life is soft. 💀👏 You’re hustling! But here’s the plot twist nobody tells you on motivational posters: 👉🏽 Hustle is good, but if it’s not paired with new skills and knowledge — na stress you dey collect, not success. Let’s break it down like pepper in a grinder: 🎓 Hustling is Movement. Learning is Direction. You can’t be doing “double your hustle” with 2010 methods in a 2025 market. The world has changed oh: Marketing has gone from flyers to funnels, Customer service has moved from "Call me" to chatbots. But you? Still using Excel 2007 with password: "12345" Oga, upgrade before AI replaces you and your village people clap for joy. Learning Doesn’t Mean Going Back to Uni, Abeg! You don’t have to collect another school fee invoice to upgrade. Try: Free YouTube tutorials (shout-out to the real MVPs) Online courses (Coursera, Udemy, Selar and many others) Podcasts & Business Newsletters (like this one you’re reading… wink 😉) Webinars, masterclasses, and asking questions without shame Even networking with smarter people counts. Stop forming boss, ask for help and learn! In Summary : 🧴 Hustle = energy. 🧠 Learning = strategy. 👑 Combine the two and you become unstoppable. Now go forth and LEARN before you start another hustle round like Tom & Jerry. 🏃🏽💨💼 Until next week, Stay sharp. Stay learning. Stay winning. 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 Launches ‘GROW Nigerian’ Strategy to Boost Jobs and MSME Growth Unveiling the plan in Abuja, the Director-General of SMEDAN explained that the initiative is anchored on four foundational pillars; Guidance, Resources, Opportunities, and Workforce Support (GROW); intended to tackle common barriers faced by MSMEs in Nigeria. Read more Afreximbank’s Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) unveils third edition of short film competition Filmmakers between the ages of 18 and 35 years can enter the competition for a chance to win a cash prize of $2,000 for outstanding work in each of the competition’s three categories: Best Fiction, Best Documentary, and Best Animation. To be eligible, they must be Africans living on the continent, in the diaspora or the Caribbean. Get more details HERE EBID Approves €230m and $10m to Drive Growth and Development in West Africa The ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) has announced the approval of a combined €230 million and $10 million financing package aimed at accelerating socio-economic development and regional integration across West Africa. More details Here CBN Launches Remote BVN Platform to Boost Diaspora Financial Access and Remittances The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), in partnership with the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS), has unveiled the Non-Resident Bank Verification Number (NRBVN) platform—an initiative designed to expand financial inclusion for Nigerians living abroad by allowing them to obtain a Bank Verification Number without being physically present in Nigeria. Read more Innovate Africa Fund Set to Award $2,000 Grand Prize at World Product Day World Product is a global initiative by Mind the Product, celebrated in over 100 cities worldwide. Curated by Innovate Africa, the Lagos gathering offers a high-impact, single-day conference that connects product builders, engineers, founders, and enterprise teams through thought leadership discussions, practical learning, and talent engagement. Get more details HERE Opportunities Galore Call For Applications: Cartier Women’s Initiative 2025 for Women Entrepreneurs (Up to $100,000 Grant) Cartier Women’s Initiative empowers women entrepreneurs with financial capital up to $100,000 to grow their impact-driven business, human capital in the form of leadership training and mentoring, and social capital including media visibility, mentorship and a life-long supportive community. Get more details and Apply today Call for Applications: Young Innovators Accelerator 2025 The accelerator program is a transformative initiative designed to equip aspiring young entrepreneurs with the talents, assets, and help they need to flip their revolutionary concepts into thriving companies. Through professional mentorship, workshops and precious networking alternatives, participants are empowered to navigate the entrepreneurial journey and attain their full potential. Get more details here. Call For Applications: Green Fellows Program 2025 ( Fully Funded,$1,000 Cash prize) This acclaimed program provides a transformative learning experience that allows participants to actively interact with some of the world’s most critical sustainability concerns while also encouraging creativity, cooperation, and leadership in the area. Get more details HERE Call For Applications: UN FAO Global AgriInno Challenge 2025 for Youth Innovators and Agri-tech Entrepreneurs ($30k Seed Funding) Applications are now open for the 2025 UN FAO Global AgriInno Challenge. Interested applicants should submit their agrifood systems innovation online. The winners will have an opportunity to pitch their innovations at the Science and Innovation Forum in Rome in October 2025. Get more details here. Call For Applications: Creative Economy Development Fund (CEDF) For Nigerians The CEDF is designed to catalyze growth, innovation, and sustainable financing for Nigeria’s creative and cultural industries, in line with the government’s commitment to creating jobs, stimulating economic diversification, and boosting Nigeria’s global cultural footprint.. Get more details and apply HERE You can access many more opportunities HERE Fun Facts about Entrepreneurship Did you know that in West Africa, particularly in Nigeria, the tradition of entrepreneurship in the creative industry dates back to the 19th century with the emergence of Yoruba textiles and Adire makers? Adire is a type of indigo-dyed cloth with unique patterns and designs. Women in southwestern Nigeria created and sold these textiles, showcasing their entrepreneurial spirit and creativity. This tradition has influenced modern-day fashion and textile designers in Nigeria and beyond, highlighting the rich history of creative entrepreneurship in Africa. Some Resources For You 5 Tips for Effective Business Idea Presentation Addressing Africa’s Artificial Intelligence Talent Gap Through Scholarship 4 Finance Tips for Small Business Owners _______________________________________ 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 Olu, 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. 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Chairman of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu, has warned food hoarders to brace for further price drops, especially on rice and other staples.Speaking to journalists after meeting President Bola Tinubu on Thursday, Rabiu said BUA Foods took full advantage o… Read on blog or Reader SMALL BUSINESS INSIGHTS Read on blog or Reader BUA chairman warns hoarders as rice prices set to crash further By Busola Bamidele on May 16, 2025 Chairman of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu, has warned food hoarders to brace for further price drops, especially on rice and other staples. Speaking to journalists after meeting President Bola Tinubu on Thursday, Rabiu said BUA Foods took full advantage of Tinubu's food import waiver policy, which allowed them to import large volumes of wheat, maize, and rice, significantly reducing food prices. He recalled that in 2024, rice sold for about N100,000 per 50kg bag, maize for N60,000, flour for N80,000, and pasta over N20,000 per carton. "We keyed into the waiver and crashed these prices," he said. Read also: BUA chairman warns hoarders as rice prices set to crash further Nigeria's EBRD membership opens door to global capital for SMEs How to set career goals that actually drive results Italy's inflation steady at 1.9% despite price surge Mastering the art of delegation for career advancement Rabiu blamed local rice companies for hoarding paddy to inflate prices, calling the act unpatriotic. "Many Nigerian companies hoard paddy rice, causing price surges," he added. He commended President Tinubu's foresight in granting import waivers and reiterated BUA's commitment to keeping prices low for Nigerians.

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Nigeria has officially joined the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), a move that is set to significantly enhance access to international finance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and other private sector players. Fin… Read on blog or Reader SMALL BUSINESS INSIGHTS Read on blog or Reader Nigeria's EBRD membership opens door to global capital for SMEs By Abimbola Akomolafe on May 16, 2025 Nigeria has officially joined the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), a move that is set to significantly enhance access to international finance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and other private sector players. Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, announced the development at the 2025 EBRD Annual Meeting in London. He described Nigeria's admission as a major milestone in the country's ongoing economic reforms, aimed at fostering transparency, private sector growth, and inclusive development. With over 80% of the EBRD's financing allocated to the private sector, Nigeria's SMEs now have increased opportunities to secure funding for projects in energy, infrastructure, agriculture, and digital innovation. The bank also offers technical support to help businesses scale sustainably. Read also, Nigeria's EBRD membership opens door to global capital for SMEs How to set career goals that actually drive results Italy's inflation steady at 1.9% despite price surge Mastering the art of delegation for career advancement Agribusiness empowers youths as private sector urges government to boost food production "This is a proud day for Nigeria," Edun said. "Joining the EBRD strengthens our commitment to building a rules-based economy and boosting investor confidence." During the summit themed "Expanding Horizons, Enduring Strengths," Edun also met with representatives from France and the United States to bolster Nigeria's international economic partnerships. The development is expected to catalyze foreign investment, empower local enterprises, and accelerate Nigeria's long-term growth agenda.

SMALL BUSINESS INSIGHTS © 2025. Manage your email settings or unsubscribe. Get the Jetpack app Subscribe, bookmark, and get real‑time notifications - all from one app! Automattic, Inc. 60 29th St. #343, San Francisco, CA 94110