SME100 Africa explained

SME100 Africa
Trade Name:	SME100 Africa
Type:	Private
Industry:	Enterprise Development
Successors:	-->
Founded:	in Lagos State, Nigeria
Key People:	Charles Odii (Executive Director)
Hq Location:	Ikoyi
Hq Location City:	Lagos State
Hq Location Country:	Nigeria
Slogans:	-->

SME100 Africa is a Social Enterprise company located in Ikoyi, a district of Lagos. Founded in 2015 by Charles Odii,^[1] it provides a platform empowering young entrepreneurs and small and medium scale enterprise to successfully scale and thrive in Africa.^[2]

SME 100 Africa hosts the annual 25Under25 Awards and Lagos Small Business Summit.^{[3] [4]}

Overview

At SME100 Africa, innovations by young entrepreneurs are supported through advice, mentorship and funding through series of workshops, events and skill development programs.^{[5] [6]} The SME100 Africa happens to be one of the few enterprise development hubs in Africa partnering with other organisations to provide early stage business support programs and initiatives to thousands of Nigerian startups.^[7]

25Under25 Awards

The 25Under25 Awards by SME100 Africa is designed to recognize and celebrate young entrepreneurs for scaling their innovations and achieving growth, cooperation and investment readiness.^[8] The programme is being implemented in Nigeria annually for individuals under the age of 25. Notable Honorees of the award include DJ Cuppy, Tobi Bakre, Gloria Oloruntobi, Joeboy, Rema (musician), Young John, Yasmin Belo-Osagie amongst others.^[9] In 2019, Airtel Nigeria partnered with SME100 Nigeria to celebrate the 25 Nominated entrepreneurs and businesses for the fourth edition.^{[10] [11]}

Lagos Small Business Summit

The Lagos Small Business Summit launched by SME100 Africa is an annual 2days event to commemorate the Global Entrepreneurship Week in Nigeria with masterclasses, seminars, business advisory, pitch competition and exhibitions.^{[12] [13] [14]} The winner of the pitch competition receives a combined funding of up to one million naira, and will be supported by SME100 Africa.^[15]

Notes and References

1. Web site: How #BellaNaijaMCM Charles Odii of SME100Africa is Equipping & Empowering Young Entrepreneurs . BellaNaija . 3 June 2020.
2. Web site: Firm pledges to support small businesses on regulatory challenges . Guardian Nigeria . 3 June 2020.
3. Web site: Providence . Emmanuel . SME 100 empowers 25 youth entrepreneurs . Vanguard Nigeria . 3 June 2020.
4. Web site: Highlights of the Lagos Small Business Summit 2018 . YNaija . 3 June 2020.
5. Web site: Oreoluwa . Peters . Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Aishah Ahmed, Abimbola Adebakin others speak at SME100 Women’s conference . YNaija . 3 June 2020.
6. Web site: Belo-Olusoga, Babangida, Kemi Nelson, Uduaghan “Pledge For Parity” at SME 100 Nigeria International Women’s Day Conference . Bellanaija . 3 June 2020.
7. Web site: Google, SME100 Africa to hold Digital Marketing Training for Women . Bellanaija . 3 June 2020.
8. Web site: SME 100 to reward entrepreneurs under 25 . Guardian Nigeria . 3 June 2020.
9. Web site: Be excited! The 4th edition of the SME100 Africa 25 Under 25 Awards is at hand . YNaija . 3 June 2020.
10. Web site: Nlebem . Anthony . Airtel felicitates with outstanding, Young Entrepreneurs at 2019 25Under25Awards . BusinessDay Nigeria . 3 June 2020.
11. Web site: Airtel felicitates with outstanding, young entrepreneurs at 2019’s 25Under25 awards . Techeconomy . 3 June 2020.
12. Web site: Lagos Small Business Summit 2019 . Global Entrepreneurship Network . 3 June 2020.
13. Web site: Odinaka . Anudu . SME 100 Holds Lagos Small Business Summit . Businessday Nigeria . 3 June 2020.
14. Web site: Oluwadamilare . Akinpelu . TECH EVENTS THIS WEEK: Technology and Innovation Roundtable, Future Energy Nigeria, Lagos Small Business Summit and More . Technext . 3 June 2020.
15. Web site: Here’s everything you should know about the 2018 Lagos Small Business Summit . YNaija . 3 June 2020.