MTN Business has unveiled a new cloud delivery platform in Nigeria, which will enable SMEs access cloud services with greater ease.
The applications on the MTN Business Cloud Services platform range from Security, Storage and Backup to Email Marketing, Contacts Management and Accounting applications.
MTN Executive, Amina Oyagbola, said, “The launch of this cloud service is a step in the right direction. It translates to facilitating greater ease of doing business for SMEs whose role in creating employment and empowering people cannot be overemphasized in emerging economies like Nigeria. According to the World Bank, SMEs have been recognised as a key sector in local economies, particularly in emerging markets, where formal SMEs contribute up to 45% of total employment and up to 33% of GDP.”
Based on a survey by SMEDAN (Small & Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria), there are over 37 million SMEs across Nigeria. Cloud platforms therefore represent a veritable means to drive technological inclusion in this critical sector.
Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka,General Manager, Enterprise Marketing, lauded the benefits of the service; “We believe that SMEs are invaluable to the growth of the Nigerian economy. That is why this platform was developed to address some of the challenges experienced by our SME customers, in particular. At MTN Business, we are aware that to enable the growth of this key sector, easier access to solutions such as cloud, that drive efficiencies and lower costs is vital.”
Speaking further on the Business Cloud service which was also recently deployed in Rwanda and Cameroun, Ikenna-Emeka said, “We are pleased that this service, represents a move that empowers SMEs to control their spend and usage. Through this service, SMEs can choose from a range of applications, subscribing to chosen applications when and wherever they want without paying for the total cost of the applications. This way spend is kept manageable. These business applications can be accessed from anywhere at anytime and compete favourably with other world class cloud platforms”.
MTN Business Cloud Services will be denominated in local currency thereby making payment easy and services more affordable. The roll out of the platform in other MTN markets is set for the end of the year.
