Economy
e TRANZACT International Plc says its transformative journey to prepare Nigerian SMEs for the Artificial Intelligence (AI) revolution will continue with the fourth edition of its AI Readiness Roundtable.
Mr Niyi Toluwalope, Managing Director/CEO of eTranzact, in a statement on Tuesday reaffirmed the firm’s commitment to driving an all-inclusive economy in Nigeria, powered by technology.
Toluwalope said the forum, tagged the ,’AI SME Summit’, would take place in Lagos on Jan. 24.
According to him, it will equip SMEs with the knowledge and tools they need to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving global market.
“AI is no longer a luxury – it’s a necessity, and we are proud to champion this cause,” he said.
The initiative is spearheaded through Credo by eTranzact, in partnership with the Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) of Pan-Atlantic University and the Global AI Council of Nigeria.
“The initiative is designed to empower SMEs with the tools, insights, and strategies to integrate AI into their operations.
“Since its launch in 2024, the roundtable has reached SMEs in three geo-political zones, with the debut session in Kano followed by Port Harcourt, and most recently, Enugu in December 2024,” he said.
Toluwalope added that the sessions had witnessed strong participation from business owners, who praised the initiative as a timely and impactful response to the challenges of the digital age.
According to him, as the Lagos edition approaches, expectations are high for another robust session with SME stakeholders eager to explore the practical applications of AI.
He said the initiative would continue across Nigeria’s six geo-political zones throughout 2025, to ensure that every region benefits from the programme.
Also, the Country Director of the Enterprise Development Centre of Pan-Atlantic University, Dr Olawale Anifowose, highlighted the programme’s alignment with national development goals.
He said the initiative represented a unique collaboration between academia, technology, and business.
“By reaching SMEs in every geo-political zone, we are addressing the needs of businesses at the grassroots level and ensuring they are not left behind in the AI revolution,” he said.
Some participants from previous sessions also shared feedback about the programme’s impact.
Halima Yusuf, a retail business owner from Kano, said the knowledge acquired from the forum helped her to manage inventory and improve customer experience.
She said: “This is a game-changer for my business.”
Similarly, Chibuzor Okeke, a fashion entrepreneur from Enugu, said the roundtable aided his understanding of AI tools for enhanced creativity and streamlined production.
“I am grateful to eTranzact and their partners for bringing this opportunity to us,” he said. (NAN)
22nd January, 2025.C.E
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