By Rukayat Moisemhe and Aderonke Ojediran

Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has unveiled the Lagos State Access to Finance for SMEs through Cooperatives (LASMECO) to provide access to finance for Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) and registered cooperative societies in the state.

Sanwo-Olu unveiled the initiative at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja, on Wednesday in partnership with Bank of Industry (BoI) and Sterling Bank Ltd

He said the tripartite initiative was designed to break the funding barrier to enable SMEs to access up to N10 million at a single-digit interest of nine per cent per annum without collateral.

LASMECO is a first-of-its-kind public-private financing platform that aims to deliver low-interest, risk-mitigated loans to SMEs across strategic sectors, including healthcare, agriculture, creative industries, manufacturing, and circular economy clusters.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the initiative is a game changer that will accelerate access to finance for SME business owners in the state by providing a loan of up to N10 million at nine per cent interest rate for two to three years.

The governor advised the beneficiaries to use the money and grow for their businesses judiciously.

“I stand here today filled with pride and hope. Pride in the indomitable spirit of Lagosians, and hope for the future we are building together.

“This occasion, the launch of the joint initiative between the Lagos State Government, Bank of Industry, and Sterling Bank MSME Fund, is not just a formal unveiling of a financing programme.

“It is the unveiling of dreams, the lighting of thousands of small candles that together will illuminate the path to a more prosperous and inclusive Lagos.

“Let me begin with a story that captures why this moment matters. A few years ago, I met a young woman named Bisola in Alimosho. Bisola ran a small tailoring business out of a single shop.

“She had creativity, she had customers, and she had ambition, what she didn’t have was affordable capital to expand. Traditional loans were out of reach without collateral, so for years her dream of opening a small factory remained just that: a dream.

“In 2020, through a Lagos State support scheme for small businesses, Bisola accessed a low-interest loan. With that little boost, she bought two additional sewing machines and hired three apprentices from her community,” the governor said.

The governor further said that there were other Bisola’s that would benefit from the scheme.

Sanwo-Olu commended the contribution of the informal sector to economic growth and development.

“Bisola’s story is not only inspiring, but it is unique. It is one of thousands of success stories our Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) have written across this great state.

“From the bustling markets of Balogun and Idumota, to the tech hubs of Yaba, to the bustling garages in Ikeja and the creative studios in Surulere, our MSMEs are the unsung heroes of Lagos’s economy.

“They are the backbone and the heartbeat of our drive toward prosperity. When we talk about making Lagos a 21st century economic powerhouse, it is their energy and innovation that power the engine.

“Think about it, MSMEs account for almost 96 per cent of businesses in our nation and nearly half of our GDP. Here in Lagos, we are proud to host the highest concentration of these enterprises in Nigeria.

“That means millions of our citizens wake up every day as owners of small shops and stalls, founders of startups, operators of restaurants and factories, providers of services and artisans of trade.

“Together, these hard-working men and women employ the vast majority of our workforce and provide livelihoods for countless families. They turn the cogs of commerce in every neighborhood, from Epe to Eko, Badagry to Ikeja,” he said.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Mrs Folasade Ambrose-Madebem, described the initiative as a revolutionary financing scheme for MSMEs to provide a single digit non-collateralised loan.

Ambrose said the loan to be given to businesses under cooperatives would unlock the next generation of entrepreneurs in the state.

“So, as we begin this journey today, let us remember that this is not just about launching, it’s about unlocking the next generation of entrepreneurs.

“This is about creating a type of globally grown, globally competitive enterprise that will find its future opportunities.

“It’s about ensuring that whether you’re a young woman in Badagry, a healthcare provider LASMECO will work for you,” she said.

The Managing Director of BoI, Dr Olasupo Olusi, said the bank partnered Lagos State on the initiative to ensure access to finance for MSMEs to tackle poverty and guarantee economic growth in communities.

NAN reports that the highpoint of the event was the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on the initiative between the Lagos State Government, Bank of Industry and Sterling Bank. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma