Over 700 entrepreneurs attend 8th Caladium Lagos SME Bootcamp
More than 700 entrepreneurs gathered in Lagos for the Caladium SME Bootcamp, addressing survival challenges including intellectual property protection, capital access and digital market positioning. The gathering featured presentations on legal frameworks, brand development and business model adaptation as small enterprises navigate economic pressures affecting a sector that generates 48 percent of national output and employs 84 percent of workers, according to government development agencies.
Convener Ayo Bankole Akintujoye emphasized providing smaller operators with resources typically available to larger corporations. Legal consultant Oyinkansola Fawehinmi stressed proper registration to prevent revenue loss from unprotected assets, while Edward Israel-Ayide of Carpe Diem Solutions highlighted authentic storytelling as a differentiation strategy. Razaq Ahmed from Cowrywise discussed regulatory navigation and customer-focused innovation during founder presentations.
The program included marketplace exhibitions featuring 75 businesses and grant competitions for participating ventures. Organizers report reaching 10,000 small enterprises through training initiatives since launching operations.
