Footprint to Africa Limited, a business/ financial news resource and investment bridge company, last weekend in Lagos, launched two new services into the market: The Market Square and Africa in 10 Minutes.
Organisers believe that if you are not in the Market Square, you are not in business as The Market Square not only help businesses find the right agents but also help SMES connect foreign partners and financiers for a mutually beneficial relationship. On the other hand, Africa in 10 Minutes, is an online broadcast of serious financial news central to African economy.
The event which took place at the Oriental Hotel in Lagos, brought together business owners seeking such platform to grow their businesses.
Osita Oparaugo, MD Footprint to Africa Limited, in his remarks was optimistic that this new venture is a platform that will rule the world, unite Africa and grow the SMEs in Nigeria. He encouraged owners of small businesses to seek to build partnerships and synergies instead of looking for loans as joint ventures will encourage businesses to grow.
Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah, noted that although Africa is doing quite well with social networking, he pointed out that Nigerian needed to do more businesses especially with the SMES. While commending Footprint Africa for seeing a gap and doing something to address the gap in other to improve the value chain, he described the platform “as an idea whose time has come “
In his speech, former President, Pan African Parliament, Hon. Bethel Amadi, said in other to grow businesses in Africa, there has to be harmonisation of legislations across Africa as this will help eliminate common issues that hinder businesses across Africa such as, Issuance of visas, registration of businesses and customs operations. He added that the low level of infrastructural development and corruption in the civil service as well as bureaucratic bottlenecks, all help to hinder integration of trade in the continent. He called on guests to support this new initiative by footprint Africa as it is through such effort that “the hope of Africa rising will happen”.

By Jemi Ekunkunbor

Pic By Oscar Ochiogu