Ghana: Zenith Bank trains hundreds of SMEs to boost capacity

Zenith Bank Ghana in partnership with the World Trade Centre, Accra and Alibaba.com has trained over 300 Small and Micro Enterprises (SMEs) through ‘The Alibaba Global Seller Training E-Course Masterclass’’ in an effort to boost trade and support SMEs to expand to global markets.

The exercise provided local sellers with practical tools on how to influence digital marketing channels such as Alibaba.com in promoting products.

It also exposed sellers to a comprehensive insight on the export market as well as teach them how to position themselves to seize opportunities to maximize profits.

The programme which highlighted the advantages of signing on to Alibaba.com, saw the SMES engage experts from Alibaba.com, Ghana Export Promotion Authority and Zenith Bank.

Participants at the event expressed excitement and called for more of such trainings to deepen their knowledge.

Chief Executive Officer of Delse Shop, Selasi Dzikunu, who participated in the training called for support from the Ghana Export Promotion Authority to list more SMEs on Alibaba.com.

“This programme will give us the opportunity to explore global markets. The only request will be that small businesses will be supported by GEPA to roll on to such global platforms.”

Commenting on the importance of such trainings, John Jaoudeh, CEO of Pacific Clothing urged Zenith Bank Ghana to replicate such trainings across the country to enable SMEs in other regions benefit from the training.

He however called on Zenith Bank to liaise with Alibaba.com to device financial packages which will make it easy for small businesses to be listed on the platform.

On the expansion of local businesses to other markets, CEO of Made By Radw, Ewuradwoa Ahwoi, echoed the need for Ghanaian SMEs to leverage on digital platforms like Alibaba.com to expand to other markets.

Speaking at the closing session of the training, Head, Retail Banking at Zenith Bank, Gloria Cabutey-Adodoadji reiterated the bank’s commitment to supporting Ghanaian SMEs seize opportunities on the global market.

“Small business owners know what it takes to get access to finance. We are providing them with training and advisory support.”

The Alibaba Global Seller Training E-Course Masterclass’’ is powered by Zenith Bank Ghana in partnership with the World Trade Centre, Accra and Alibaba.com and the Ghana Export Promotion Centre.