By Dipo Olowookere
Small business owners in the country have been given a rare opportunity to obtain interest-free credit facility to catalyse their growth against the backdrop of the global economic downturn occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic.
This offering is from leading consumer and SME finance company, Zedvance Finance Limited, and it is to empower small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
“We understand the critical role loans play in helping SMEs looking to take their businesses to the forefront of the market.
“More importantly, we know that interest-free loans will allow them accelerate growth by reducing the burden of loan interest payment,” the acting CEO of Zedvance Finance, Mr Ever Obi, was quoted as saying in an e-mailed statement to Business Post on Tuesday.
“Essentially, we are creating a support system for SMEs. Majority of our youth are budding entrepreneurs.
“While we provide ‘safe’ capital for them, we believe that some level of guidance on corporate and product strategy will also be invaluable,” he added.
It was also stated that driven by a need to create a support system for SMEs at this uncertain time, the company will be running a 3-week virtual campaign themed Keeping SMEs Alive and the first edition will hold from August 18 – 31, 2020.
Mr Obi explained during the campaign, “We will be having five top entrepreneurs that will be speaking on different topics on entrepreneurship via our social media platform.”
He explained that the aim of the initiative is to help SMEs stay afloat at this crucial time and to promote economic enterprise in line with the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) pillars.
Speaking on how to pitch for the zero-interest loan, the Head of Product Marketing & Brand Communications, Mr Lukmon Oloyede, said “all entrepreneurs can send their ‘pitch’ via Zedvance’s Social Media platforms – @zedvance on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn or email [email protected].
“Participants are to invite their friends and family to like your pitch, follow Zedvance social media platforms and state why they deserve a zero-interest loan for your business.”
The Zedvance Finance Limited loans are accessible through a range of self-service digital channels including website – www.zedvance.com, mobile app – MoneyPal (available on Google Playstore) and phone call to the Customer Service Centre on 07001001000. Customers can access loans between N2,500 and N5 million in minutes depending on their credit score.
For the lectures through Zedvance’s Instagram Live Chat, the co-founder of Awabah Nigeria, Mr Mr Tunji Andrews, will be speaking on Strategies for SME Fund Raising in a Pandemic Era; the co-founder and CEO of Publiseer, Mr Chidi Nwaogu, will shed light on How to Avoid Common Startup Pitfalls, while the founder of cmDesign Atelier, Ms Tosin Oshinowo, will also lead the conversation on Building a Globally Competitive Creative Enterprise.
The topic on Securing Funding for SMEs in a Post Pandemic Era will have the input of Lanre Messan, the CEO of FirstFounders, while the founder of Margaritas Farm, Ms Margarita Adokuru, will speak on Building Global Competitive Agric-Business in Nigeria.
