The event was hosted by Ovaloop, one of the leading solution providers for businesses looking for Business Management software. Ovaloop and some stakeholders in the SME sector aim to amplify discussions on the growth and roadmap of the SME landscape bordering around collaboration and opportunities for SMEs in Africa. SME connect unveiled the launch of Ovaloop pay and Ovaloop store as modules on the software as part of effort to help SMEs manage their inventory and processes for sustainable economic inclusion.
Ovaloop SME Connect is poised to become a platform for stakeholders in the SME industry looking for a safe space and opportunity to influence SME bodies, relevant government organizations and regulatory bodies to positively support and impact SMEs.
The maiden edition was successfully organized by Ovaloop in partnership with FirstFounders Inc, Regtech Africa and PocketLawyers. Several SME leaders and community aggregators also took their time to share up-building lessons and experiences from running a business, community and building one across various sectors of the economy.
The session was opened by Ngozi Nwabueze, Esq. CEO/Founder of PocketLawyers led to an electrifying introductory speech by David Lanre Messan (DLM) who expressed valid points from over almost 2 decades of experience helping SMEs grow and raise venture capital. Mr Princewill Mba, CEO of Ovaloop shared the stage with Daniel Kilanko, CTO and Co-founder as they highlight how Ovaloop is bridging the gap of poor business management and a short demo thereafter on the various features available on Ovaloop.
When describing how regulation has helped shape the SME landscape, Cyril Okoroigwe’s and Bunmi Kole Dawodu, the Lagos state manager of SMEDAN explained the importance of regulation and provided insights into the efforts of regulatory bodies in improving the SME space. Other notable speakers who spoke on the relevance of the SME space providing further insights include Tamara posibi of Unicorn founders, Stacey Chimdia of Chi Kleen cleaning, Uzo Anekwe, Head Business development and strategy of connect Nigeria and Winnie Wambugu all the way from Kenya shared the plausible pathway for a pan-African collaboration.
At the end of the conference most participants expressed their satisfaction in the educational and informative manner the panelists shared their knowledge. The warm and pleasant conversation provided an opportunity for networking and immense collaboration. The team at Ovaloop has promised to ensure SME connect is sustained as preparations have already begun for a second edition since there was a number of information from stakeholders on the need to look into policy changes that should drive a consultative forum like SME connect for further discussion.
