Access Bank unveils SME app as FG pushes AI adoption

Access Bank Plc has unveiled an app for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to help small businesses adopt artificial intelligence (AI), improve productivity and expand operations.

Access Bank unveiled the app at its maiden Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Conference in Lagos on Friday, July 24, 2026.

The conference, which has the theme: “AI for SMEs: Scaling Through Digital Tools”, brought together entrepreneurs, business leaders, policymakers and technology experts, featured keynote presentations, panel discussions and interactive sessions exposing participants to practical applications of AI in business operations.

Speaking at the event, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Entrepreneurship Development, Chalya Shagaya, urged MSMEs to embrace AI and digital tools to improve productivity and expand markets.

Shagaya said technology had become essential for business growth, warning that entrepreneurs who failed to adopt AI risked being left behind.

She described entrepreneurs as critical partners in the Federal Government’s drive to build a one trillion-dollar economy and commended their resilience despite the country’s challenging business environment.

According to her, entrepreneurship requires perseverance, innovation and continuous learning because technology continues to evolve rapidly.

Shagaya said AI could help businesses automate routine tasks, generate invoices, analyse sales data, manage inventory, understand customer preferences and improve operational efficiency.

She urged entrepreneurs to leverage digital marketing and social media platforms to reach customers beyond their immediate locations and transform local businesses into global brands.

The presidential aide said the federal government was providing infrastructure and policies to support digital innovation and AI adoption among businesses.

Shagaya added that President Bola Tinubu had approved a national AI policy and directed the Ministry of Communications to establish an AI hub for entrepreneurs and businesses.

Shagaya said the hub will provide capacity building and opportunities for businesses to scale their operations.

She urged business owners to continue learning and adapting to emerging technologies, saying AI was already reshaping commerce.

Speaking with newsmen, Shagaya commended Access Bank for the initiative which she said aligned with efforts of Tinubu to groom small businesses for accelerated growth.

Earlier, the Head of SME Banking, Access Bank, Abiodun Olubitan, described MSMEs as the backbone of Nigeria’s economy.

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Olubitan said MSMEs contributed about half of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product and accounted for about 84 per cent of employment.

She described MSMEs as the bank’s most important customer segment and assured participants of sustained support beyond access to finance.

She stressed that the bank remains committed to helping businesses grow through capacity building, innovation and practical solutions tailored to their needs.

Olubitan said Access Bank had consistently demonstrated its commitment through initiatives designed to strengthen businesses and improve their competitiveness.

Also speaking, the Executive Director of University of Lagos Business School, Prof. Sunday Adebisi, urged SMEs to embrace AI to improve efficiency, customer service and business growth.

Adebisi said Nigeria had more than 39 million SMEs, representing about 96 per cent of businesses, contributing about 48 per cent of GDP and providing about 84 per cent of jobs.

He, however, noted that about half of SMEs failed within their first year of operation, stressing that wider adoption of digital technologies could improve business survival.

Adebisi said AI should be viewed as a co-pilot rather than a replacement for entrepreneurs.

He said AI could support businesses in marketing, customer engagement, data analysis, payment processing, product recommendations and round the clock customer service.

“Human beings will continue to provide empathy, creativity, ethics, trust and local market knowledge, while AI delivers speed, scale and data driven insights,” Adebisi stated.