List of COVID-19 Resources for Nigerian Entrepreneurs

As most businesses struggle to survive during this period, we have compiled a list of covid-19 resources to guide Nigerian entrepreneurs at this time. We will continue to update this resource page so do visit it regularly to stay informed and provide guidance on how to keep your business afloat.

1. Entrepreneurial Leadership Strategies: These resources are essential guidelines for every entrepreneur needing guidance for their business during and beyond this crisis period.

•  10 Step COVID-19 Survival Strategies for Nigerian Entrepreneurs: Our 10 step guide article provides a very practical guideline for all entrepreneurs on how to manage their businesses during this very difficult period.
• Developing a Business Continuity Plan: This Webinar led by Tom Oluwole includes a detailed step by step guide on how to develop a business continuity plan and critical questions to guide you as you review the plan and prioritise on a daily/weekly/monthly basis.
• Navigating the Force Majeure Clause: This article by DIYLaw guides you on how to navigate contractual arrangements during this crisis.
• 5 Practical Things Small Businesses Can Do During the COVID-19 Lockdown: This article shares five things that businesses across the board can do to bring their operations up to par.
• What You CAN & SHOULD do in terms of marketing during a Pandemic: When it comes to marketing through a Crisis, being informed is the best way to ensure you are able to make it through unscathed. This article highlights a few tips

2. Employee Management : 

• Managing Your Workforce During a Crisis: In this 1-hour webinar, Habiba Balogun explores key aspects of talent management strategies for various types of employee related matters at this time.
• Employers and Employees in the Time of COVID: This downloadable article by Udo Udoma and Belo Osagie considers some of the employment and labour law implications of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Strategies for Managing Your Team Remotely: Our 7-step article provides you with key guidelines for managing your remote workforce during the lockdown.

3. Funding and Financing

• Accessing the CBN COVID-19 N50 Billion Naira Credit Facility: This article provides details on how to access the Central Bank of Nigeria’s N50billion facility for small and medium sized businesses and households.
• Moratorium on LSETF Funding: This form by the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) allows  LSETF loan beneficiaries with performing loans whose businesses have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic to apply for a loan repayment rescheduling plan.
• Google Ad Credits: As part of an $800 million fund announcement to support small businesses, Google has announced free Google Ad Credits of up to $340 million value for small and midsize businesses with active accounts in the past year.
• Facebook Small Business Grants: A few weeks ago, Facebook announced the launch of their Small Business Grants Program that will provide $100million in cash and ad credits to 30,000 businesses in the 30 countries where Facebook operates. Details of the grant disbursement process are yet to be confirmed for Nigeria/Africa and we will be sure to update you when made public.

4. Digital Tools and Resources

• HootSuite Social Media Management Platform: Hootsuite, the social media management platform has opened up for free its professional plan from now till July 1, 2020.
• Free Business Management Courses: In this article, we share 5 free business management courses you can take on business planning, business model canvas, digital marketing and financial literacy.
• Free Calendly Integration: Calendy the appointment scheduling software company co founded by Nigerian American Tope Awotona is offering Zoom and GoToMeeting integrations free of charge from now till June 2020.

5. Agribusinesses

1. Managing the COVID-19 Crisis as an Agro-Entrepreneur: The agribusiness space is very critical to socio-economic survival of this crisis however the sector also comes with its own unique challenges and opportunities. Edobong Akpabio in this write up provides guidance on how to navigate both.
2. ScaleUp Lab Accelerator Programme: The 6-month ScaleUp Lab Agribusiness Accelerator programme by FATE Foundation is a perfect programme for any agribusiness entrepreneur looking to strategically reposition their business at this critical time.
3. Nourish Africa: This virtual resource for African Agribusinesses provides learning, funding and resource information for businesses along the value chain.