Fortis Mobile Money Launches MSME Summit

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Fortis Mobile Money Launches MSME Summit

Fortis Reaffirms Commitment to Nigeria’s MSMEs

Nigeria's micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are widely recognized as the backbone of the country’s economy. These businesses form the foundation of economic activity, driving innovation, employment, and local development. However, despite their critical role, many MSMEs continue to face significant challenges that hinder their growth and sustainability.

Fortis, one of Nigeria’s earliest licensed mobile money operators, has taken a renewed interest in supporting these enterprises. The company has positioned MSMEs at the core of its long-term strategy as it transitions into a digitally driven, technology-first platform. This shift reflects a growing recognition of the importance of digital infrastructure in enabling business success.

A senior Fortis executive emphasized the vital role of MSMEs in the Nigerian economy, stating, “MSMEs have always been the life force of Nigeria’s real economy. What they lack is not ambition, capacity or creativity. What they need is access, access to finance, access to tools, access to markets, and access to a predictable digital payment infrastructure. That is where Fortis is choosing to stand.”

The Challenges Faced by MSMEs

Despite their contributions, MSMEs in Nigeria still struggle with several systemic issues. According to Fortis, these businesses account for more than 90% of registered businesses and contribute nearly half of the national GDP. Yet, they often face limited access to finance, weak digital infrastructure, and heavy reliance on informal systems.

The firm highlighted that its renewed focus builds on a decade-long effort to support financially excluded communities, particularly through the delivery of social and humanitarian payments across the country. Now, Fortis is restructuring its operations around a technology-driven model that offers accessible digital payments, merchant tools, cooperative savings structures, and targeted financial products tailored for small businesses.

Addressing Everyday Frictions

The restructuring aims to tackle everyday frictions that MSMEs encounter, such as fragmented collections, cash-heavy operations, limited access to working capital, and minimal financial visibility. By addressing these challenges, Fortis hopes to empower small businesses to operate more efficiently and grow sustainably.

To deepen its engagement with MSMEs, Fortis is hosting its first-ever MSME Summit. Described as “a marketplace of ideas and a collaborative arena for reimagining the future of MSME finance in Nigeria,” the event will bring together a diverse group of stakeholders. Participants will include small business owners, cooperative groups, industry leaders, policymakers, and development partners.

A Platform for Collaboration and Innovation

During the summit, discussions will focus on various topics, including digital payments, data-driven lending, cooperative finance, agent networks, and emerging technologies that can accelerate MSME growth. The event will also showcase Fortis’ evolving suite of MSME-focused products, designed to improve collections, expand credit access, strengthen business resilience, and integrate informal enterprises into the formal economy.

The executive added, “We see MSMEs as partners. Their success is our success. Their resilience is our resilience. The Fortis MSME Summit will allow us to listen, collaborate and co-create solutions that respond directly to the needs of Nigeria’s real economy.”

Strategic Milestone in Transformation

Fortis noted that the summit marks a strategic milestone in its transformation, especially as Nigeria faces economic uncertainty and rising cost pressures on businesses. The company stressed that supporting MSMEs “is not optional; it is foundational.”

The Fortis MSME Summit is scheduled to take place on 21 November 2025 at The Wells Carlton Hotels in Abuja. It will feature participation from state governments, private-sector leaders, cooperative federations, academia, and frontline MSME operators.

A New Role for Fortis

With this renewed direction, Fortis Mobile Money has positioned itself not just as a payments platform but as “a development partner for the millions of MSMEs powering Nigeria’s future.” By focusing on digital innovation and inclusive financial services, Fortis aims to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Nigeria’s economy.


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