For Sterling Bank Plc and LEAP Africa, their concern is how to lift small and medium enterprises out of the woods. Hence will be joining forces with risk management experts at a forum to discuss risk management strategies for SMEs in Lagos next week.

Abubakar Suleiman, executive director and chief financial officer, Sterling Bank, who disclosed this in Lagos yesterday, said over 800 SMEs are expected to attend the 10th edition of the LEAP Africa’s CEO Forum for SMEs. The forum is tagged ‘Staying Ahead: Maximising profit and mitigating risks.’ The Sterling Bank ED explained, would help operators to understand inherent risks that could lead to the sudden collapse of their businesses.

Suleiman added that the bank believes SMEs make significant contributions to economic growth of the economy and this informed its decision to partner with LEAP Africa on the conference. “The conference involves, how we can help SMEs to deal with risk factors that impact their businesses negatively, due to the recent devaluation of naira which has affected several SMEs. More so, factors like information management affects SMEs. These are little things that can cause big issues for SMEs,” he explained.

Iyadunni Olubode, executive director, LEAP Africa, said that the forum was meant to assist SMEs to overcome crucial risk factors in the challenging economic environment. According to her, the organisation was partnering with Sterling Bank to bring experts to talk on risk management practices for SMEs. The forum, she added, would provide cutting-edge solutions and best practices that would enable SMEs to deal with risks in the nation’s political and economic environment.

Clare Omatseye, managing director, JNC International Limited, one