Nigerian MSMEs rely on mobile tools but core operations remain manual

For Nigeria’s micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), digital tools are increasingly becoming essential for staying competitive, reaching more customers and improving day-to-day operations.

From digital payments and social media marketing to cloud-based accounting, customer management and e-commerce platforms, technology offers businesses practical ways to reduce costs, save time and create new opportunities for growth.

However, adopting digital tools is not simply about using more technology; it is about choosing the right solutions to address specific business challenges.

For MSMEs operating in a competitive and rapidly changing market, a strategic approach to digitalisation can improve efficiency, strengthen customer relationships and ultimately support sustainable business growth.

According to research by Enovate Lab and Dangote Business School, “In today’s economy, where the lines between physical and digital commerce have disappeared, digitalisation is no longer optional. It is a necessity for survival, competitiveness, and sustainable growth.”

Digitalisation is the use of digital tools to improve business processes, decisions, and outcomes. It may involve replacing paper records, reducing repetitive work, improving customer communication or connecting different parts of the business.

The study, ‘MSMEs Digitalisation Handbook: A Practical Guide for Digital Growth and Business Efficiency’, by Ahmed Idris, founder/executive director at Enovate Lab; Bello Bala-Garba, a professor of Business…