Ayodeji Ayenuwa
On November 23, 2023, Google Hustle Academy celebrated the graduation of 5,300 entrepreneurs from its 2023 class across Africa.
The event, hosted at Abuja’s Transcorp Hilton Hotel, not only marked the academic accomplishment but also unveiled the program’s first Impact report.
Launched in March 2022, Google Hustle Academy is a free initiative aimed at empowering businesses through practical training delivered in live virtual sessions.
The ceremony featured an additional highlight as fifteen small business owners were granted N5 million each to facilitate the expansion of their enterprises in Nigerian Naira.
Olumide Balogun, Country Director for Google West, emphasized the positive outcomes of the academy, stating, “My largest take-away… is that Africa’s SMEs, armed with the right tools and knowledge, can do anything they set their minds to.”
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Balogun underscored the program’s focus on digital skilling, with 80% of graduates reporting positive revenue growth in the past year.
To further bolster support for SMEs, Google announced the establishment of the N75 million Hustle Academy Fund in Nigerian Naira, providing financial assistance, mentorship, and access to essential business tools for 15 selected businesses.
Tola Adekunle-Johnson, Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Job Creation and SMEs, assured ongoing support for SMEs. He shared, “The President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will soon inaugurate the SMEs Council as a means to coordinate public-private sector collaborations to achieve more results.”
Charles Odii, Director General of the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), congratulated the graduates and announced the integration of Google Hustle Academy into the licensed Business Development Service Providers (BDSPs) Scheme of SMEDAN.
Ultimately, Google Hustle Academy’s graduation ceremony, accompanied by funding initiatives and testimonials, exemplifies a commitment to empower entrepreneurs and confront the unique challenges faced by SMEs in Africa.
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