GEA SME Accelerator Brings Business Leaders Together to Strengthen Nigerian SMEs

As Nigerian entrepreneurs navigate the challenges of growing their businesses, Grow Enterprise Africa (GEA) is bringing experienced professionals and business leaders together to help founders build the structures, systems and capabilities required for sustainable growth.

The organisation officially launched its 2026 SME Accelerator on September 19 at The Good House, Lagos. The eight-week programme selected more than 40 businesses from over 550 applications, bringing together entrepreneurs from 14 Nigerian states.

The Accelerator focuses on five critical areas of business development: People & Leadership, Legal & Governance, Marketing & Brand Visibility, Sales & Market Growth, and Finance & Capital Readiness.

Its faculty comprises professionals with experience spanning corporate strategy, human resources, governance, financial management and marketing. They include Lolia Kienka, Goodness Armstrong, Rosemond Phil-Othihiwa, Florence Damilola Olatunbosun and Victor Bella.

For GEA, the programme is designed to go beyond motivation, providing founders with practical knowledge and tools they can apply directly to their businesses.

Speaking about the programme, Lolia Kienka, Commercial and Corporate Strategy Leader and Sales facilitator, said:

“These founders are not short of ambition or of good products. What most of them are missing is a repeatable sales process. My sessions will focus on building one: knowing who is worth chasing, and what happens next every single time.

What struck me yesterday was how specific the questions were. These entrepreneurs are not looking for motivation; they are looking for structure. That is precisely what a well-run accelerator should give them.”

Through practical training, mentorship, peer learning and assignments, participating businesses will work toward three key outcomes: investment readiness, access to markets and operational excellence.

Remi Ademiju, Founder of Grow Enterprise Africa, said the initiative reflects GEA's commitment to addressing the growth barriers facing entrepreneurs.

“At GEA, our purpose is to bridge critical growth gaps. Through the SME Accelerator, we are equipping founders with the structure, insight, network and access to finance and markets needed to scale sustainably and contribute meaningfully to the economy.”

Beyond the eight-week programme, GEA aims to develop partnerships with financial institutions, Development Finance Institutions, corporate organisations and investors to facilitate opportunities for credible, growth-oriented businesses.

The organisation welcomes partners and sponsors interested in supporting SME development, capacity building and sustainable economic growth.

About Grow Enterprise Africa

Grow Enterprise Africa (GEA) supports businesses through practical education, mentorship, networks and opportunities. Its SME Accelerator helps entrepreneurs strengthen their businesses and pursue investment readiness, market growth and operational excellence.

Media Contact

Oguntayo Tolulope

Program Manager, Grow Enterprise Africa

+234 905 640 7247

info@growenterpriseafrica.com