Ecobank reiterates support for budding entrepreneurs

The Managing Director/Regional Executive, Ecobank Nigeria, Patrick Akinwuntan has reiterated the bank’s commitment to raise future Africa multinationals by assisting young entrepreneurs with funding, access to markets across Africa, training, and other resources.

Speaking at an event tagged: “Brunch With Entrepreneurs”, an interactive session organized by the bank for budding entrepreneurs that pitched their business ideas on the TV reality show, Lions’ Den Season one program, Akinwuntan said the forum is for top executives of the bank and partners to interact with the young entrepreneurs on the available opportunities in the bank to explore, for them to realize their potentials.

According to him, “This interaction is a continuation of our journey of building Pan African multinationals by hosting these young entrepreneurs that have debuted on Lions’ Den program, the reality show being produced by our partner, Ultima productions.

He disclosed that the bank is offering its platform, Pan African network, digital offerings, and all necessary support to make the young entrepreneurs achieve their dream. “Ecobank Nigeria is an affiliate of Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI). We are present in 35 countries in Africa and global presence in Dubai, London, Paris, and Beijing.

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Advising the young entrepreneurs on how to pitch and get investors, one of the Lions, Dan Ngerem, Chairman, Hensen Group, advised them to maintain the originality of their business idea and remain focused in their presentation. “The key word here is to be original. Ensure you think through your project from conception, stick with the originality.

“Do not cannibalize your idea. Don’t oversell yourself or the project to impress, remain focused, sharpen your presentation skill, do not be scared while presenting and take notes.”

Chief Executive Officer, Ultima Studio, Femi Ayeni applauded Ecobank’ decision to also assist the young entrepreneurs whose business idea could not get investors in the reality program. He explained that the partnership with Ecobank on the project is borne out of passion to assist young entrepreneurs to achieve their dream.

According to Idorenyin Akpabio, Founder/Creative Director, Aideeology, a company that conceptualize and create interactive and intellectually stimulating tabletop games for the education and recreation of kids, teens and even adults, the meeting with Ecobank management was insightful, stressing that the engagement has added a lot more value to him and to his digital rolodex.

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“We had an audience with the Ecobank MD and his amazing team.  We had insightful discussions on Entrepreneurship Development, Start-up Funding, FinTech, the Pan-African Market etc. He took time to explain Ecobank’s vision and plans for Entrepreneurs, and candidly answered all questions we posed to him. It was worthwhile chatting and networking with these financial heavyweights. This has added a lot more value to me and to my digital rolodex. Behold, a pregnant future beckon.” He stated.