In a renewed effort to bolster Africa’s manufacturing ecosystem and empower aspiring business owners, the Chief Executive Officer of Small-Scale Enterprise (SSE) Lab, Adesola Jimmy-Eboma, has unveiled the second cohort of the Manufacturing Business Accelerator (MBA) Programme. The initiative, set to commence on April 20, 2025, and run until July 17, 2025, is designed to provide hands-on business development training tailored to African entrepreneurs.
Jimmy-Eboma described the MBA as the flagship programme of SSE Lab, strategically created to give participants the clarity, confidence, and practical tools required to transition from product idea to market-ready enterprise in just 12 weeks. The course will be delivered virtually, allowing participants from across the continent and beyond to benefit from the comprehensive curriculum.
She explained that the upcoming cohort would place strong emphasis on execution, ensuring that every participant graduates with a tangible, fully developed product, a compelling marketing strategy, a sustainable business plan, and actionable insights into scaling their ventures. According to her, the MBA is ideal for individuals with product-based ideas—including side hustlers, creative professionals, startup founders, and corporate employees—who need structure, strategic guidance, and a clear roadmap to scale.
“This programme is more than a course—it is a movement dedicated to building the next generation of ‘Made-in-Africa’ product-based businesses,” Jimmy-Eboma said. “From ideation to product launch, we equip participants with the tools to thrive in competitive markets while embracing local identity and global standards.”
The 12-week curriculum is designed to walk participants through all critical aspects of product manufacturing and business development. Modules will include product design and prototyping, market research, business planning, branding and packaging, legal and regulatory compliance, sales and distribution strategies, financial forecasting, and long-term sustainability planning.
The programme structure includes live expert-led sessions, downloadable workbooks, practical assignments, access to a dedicated learning management system, and personalised coaching to ensure accountability and progress. Jimmy-Eboma noted that these tools were intentionally included to provide immersive learning experiences and foster a strong entrepreneurial mindset.
Reflecting on the success of the first cohort, which held from September to November 2024 at Radisson Blu, Ikeja, the SSE Lab CEO recalled how participants concluded their training with a vibrant business shower—an event that featured product exhibitions, pitch sessions, and networking opportunities with investors and industry stakeholders.
“The feedback we received was phenomenal. One of the participants said the programme gave them the exact push needed to stop dreaming and start executing. Another highlighted how the weekly structure and guidance gave them the courage to proudly launch and pitch their product,” she recounted.
With growing interest in African-made solutions and local production, the MBA initiative by SSE Lab is poised to contribute significantly to enterprise development and job creation across the continent. By equipping entrepreneurs with real-world skills and fostering a culture of innovation and execution, the programme aims to reshape Africa’s manufacturing narrative from the ground up.
