Financial System Strategy 2020 International Conference SME: Issues, Challenges and Prospects By Prof. Director Monitoring &Research Division (UN-HABITAT) Visiting Professor, Innovation, Technology & Development, The Open University, SMEs 1
Introduction SMEs are a very important part of the Nigerian economy. In countries at same levels of development with Nigeria, SMEs contribute a much higher proportion to GDP than currently observed in Nigeria Compared to other emerging markets, Nigeria has historically shown lack of commitment to building a strong SME sector; These economies have shown consistent commitment to the development of SMEs by implementing: access to finance and financial incentives, basic and technological infrastructure, adequate legal and regulatory framework, and a commitment to building domestic expertise and knowledge In light of recent events in the Nigerian macroeconomic environment, SMEs have compelling growth potential and like other emerging economies are likely to constitute a significant portion of GDP in the near future In this presentation, we will take a look at SMEs in Nigeria, some of the current challenges being faced and present a case for progress for SMEs in Nigeria SMEs 2
SMEs in Nigeria SMEs are broadly defined (1) as businesses with turnover of less than N100 MM per annum and/ or less than 300 employees Studies by the IFC show that approx. 96% of Nigerian businesses are SMEs compared to 53% in the US and 65% in Europe SMEs represent about 90% of the manufacturing/ industrial sector in terms of number of enterprises, They contribute approx. 1% of GDP compared to 40% in Asian countries and 50% in the US or Europe In Nigeria, SMEs are distributed by clusters within regions 1 Definition sums up several Nigerian institution definitions of SMEs, i.e. Central Bank, Fed. Ministry of Industry, NASME SMEs 3
Manufactured Exports by SMEs SME Contribution Economy Chinese Taipei China Korea Vietnam India Singapore Year Developing Economies Early 1990s Early 1990s 1995 Early 1990s 1991/199 2 Early 1990s Definition of an SME (a) <100 employees <100 employees <300 employees <200 employees <Rs 30 M investment in plant & machinery <100 employees SMEs 4 % SME manufacture exports 56 40-60 42.4 20 31.5 16
Selected Regional & Sectoral Distribution of SME Clusters Kano Leather SME Clusters SOKOTO SOKOTO KATSINA BIRNN KEBBI GUSAU ZAMFARA KATSINA KANO JIGAWA DUTSE YOBE DAMATURU MAIDUGURI BORNU KANO KEBBI Oshogbo Tie & Dye SME Clusters KWARA KONTANGORA NIGER MINNIA KADUNA KADUNA JOS BAUCHI BAUCHI GOMBE GOMBE ADAMAWA PLATEAU YOLA ILORIN FCT Lafia JALINGO OYO OFFA NASSARAWA Abeokuta Tie & Dye SME Clusters Lagos IKEJA IBADAN OGUN ABEOKUTA LAGOS Otigba ICT SME Clusters OSHOGBO EKITI ADO EKITI OSUN ONDO AKURE BENIN CITY DELTA YENAGOA EDO ASABA LOKOJA KOGI ANAMBRA IMO PORT BAYELSA HARCOURT RIVERS ENUGU ENUGU ABIA UYO AKWA IBOM ABAKALIKI EBONYI MAKURDI BENUE CROSS RIVERS CALABAR TARABA Nnewi Aba Automotive SME Clusters Leather, Feather & Fashion SME Clusters SMEs 5
Opportunities outweigh Challenges Opportunities Challenges SMEs have significant untapped growth potential Strong export and employment potentials SMEs in Nigeria are currently distributed along sectors within regions; creating potential operational and cost synergies Huge gaps in infrastructure Poor financial support and credit environment High levels of unskilled workforce >100 Low employees investment commitment to bring pilot plants to commercial scale New growing sectors, such as entertainment and leisure clusters Low-Tech Sectors clusters: Footwear, clothing & garment, agro-processing (cassava, oil palm and other oils. High Tech clusters: ICTs, Telecom, and Biotechnology (agric and health) 50 99 employees 10-49 employees SMEs 6
Where we Are: Financial Input SMEs require improved financial support Studies show that Nigeria has a low amount of domestic investment through loans vis-à-vis other emerging markets Total Loans as % of GDP (BMI, 2006) 94.0 54.3 47.2 19.7 104.1 Majority of the loans granted are issued to large corporates and governments Nigeria Kazakh Egypt South Africa Eurozone 2005 Survey: Lagos ICT & Nnewi Auto Clusters Mostly Informal financing Sources of Funding Lagos Nnewi Result Private Banks 18% 19% Development Banks 21% Govt. Credit 29% Friends 31% Personal 50% 29% 0% 38% 76% NA NA SMEs 7
Where we Are: Knowledge Input It is a lack of investment in human capital, not a lack of investment in physical capital alone, which prevents poor countries from catching up with rich ones. Educational attainment and public spending on education are correlated positively to economic growth Benhabib and Spiegel, 1994 Import of physical capital is less costly than the domestic development of human capital and technical expertise R&D as % of GDP 2.7 2.1 1.8 0.3 Nigeria Singapore Taiwan Korea # Universities 75 20 xx 415 Population (MM) (1) 154 1 xx xx 2005 Survey: Lagos ICT & Nnewi Auto Clusters Human Capital Support Secondary Education Tertiary Education R&D Training Skilled Manpower Lagos Nnewi Result 1 2007 IMF estimates SMEs 8
Where we Are : Infrastructural Input Given adequate levels of investment in human capital, strong correlations exist between the rapid rates of industrialisation over the long term and the investments in physical capital Sanberg, 1962 (1) Majority of private sector led initiatives outperform public sector led ones GDP/Capita ($) vs. Internet Users (2000) 800 600 Mauritius South Africa 400 200 Botswana Gabon Nigeria 0 0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 5,000 2005 Survey: Lagos ICT & Nnewi Auto Clusters Infrastructure Lagos Nnewi Result Internet Good Good Good Telephone Transport Water Electricity Good Fair Poor Poor Good Poor Poor Poor Good Poor Poor Poor 1 Paraphrased SMEs 9
Ratings by Otigba SMEs Ratings of Infrastructure Assessment of Physical Infrastructure Provision 120 100 80 Bad 60 40 Fair Good 20 0 Internet Telephone Roads Water Electricity SMEs 10
Where we Are : Government Input Vital role of Government in providing an enabling environment for SMEs can t be overemphasized The more successful emerging markets have high rankings as a result of government support in enabling the private sector, and SMEs specifically Ranking (1) of Countries by Overall Govt. Support USA India Brazil Malaysia S. Africa Tunisia Egypt Nigeria Ecuador Benin Congo 0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 SMEs surveys show weak overall support from Government 2005 Survey: Lagos ICT & Nnewi Auto Clusters Support Systems Lagos Nnewi Result Govt. Incentives Innovation IT Support Intellectual Property Venture Capital Fair 1 Ranking index is based on overall Govt support through: Financing, Infrastructure, Knowledge, Policy SMEs 11
SMEs Severely Constrained Need for Policy Support Constraints Faced By Nnewi SMEs Cluster 4.5 4 3.5 3 2.5 2 1.5 1 0.5 0 High Tariffs Custom formal Finance Info on source Import Duties Multiplicity of Taxes High Rent Security of Lives SMEs 12
Need for Policy Support SMEs Constrained Constraints Faced by SMEs Firms in Aba Shoe Cluster 3.5 3 2.5 2 1.5 1 0.5 0 High tariff Custom formalities Finance Info on soursec Import duties Multiplicity of taxes High rent security of properties Security of lives SMEs 13
Where we Are : Manufacturing/ Industrial Output Manufacturing as % GDP in Nigeria has averaged 3 7% over the last few decades Fierce competition for the Nigerian manufacturing sector come predominantly from Asia Manufacturing as % of GDP 40 30 20 Manufacturing amongst Asian competitors account for 30-40% of GDP today SMEs today account for approx. 1% of total GDP and approx. 14% of total manufacturing contribution to GDP 10 0 Nigerian levels: 3 7% 60's 70's 80's 90's 2000's Korea Taiwan Singapore Industries as % of GDP Studies show that <20% of SME manufacturers export 50 40 Majority of exporters are experiencing decreasing levels of exporting due to competitive pressures from Asian counterparts 30 20 10 0 Nigerian levels: 3 7% 60's 70's 80's 90's 2000's Korea Taiwan Singapore SMEs 14
Where We Are In the private sector, there is a two-stage lag behind these other countries in developing capabilities for competitiveness. Knowledge-resource accumulation is lagging 15-30 years behind depending on which country; There is the more obvious 20-25-year lag in general economic development. SMEs 15
The Asian Challenge Effect of Asian Challenge on Otigba Cluster Very severe Severe Fairly severe severe Not severe 0.0 5.0 10.0 15.0 20.0 25.0 30.0 35.0 percent SMEs 16
The Asian Chalenge Perception of SMEs Perceptions of Market Access Strategies (%) Asia's Challenge Strategy of Enterprises in Otigba Design (superior) 87.07 12.93 Quality (high) 85.10 14.90 Price (lower) 90.00 10.00 Reliability in delivery/supply Introduction of new products 70.11 87.31 29.89 19.69 SMEs 17
Ranking on Innovation CI SMEs 18
Where We Are on CI Competitiveness Plot 2 rating TCIPI Index in 2003 0.1.2.4.8 Estonia Hungary Croatia Latvia Costa Rica Chile Slovak Republic Poland Philippines Panama Bulgaria Brazil Russia Lithuania Jamaica Tunisia Jordan Egypt, Arab Rep. Belarus Mexico UkraineTurkey Romania Kazakhstan Argentina Vietnam India Moldova Colombia Ecuador Venezuela Peru Indonesia Guatemala Azerbaijan Syria Pakistan Bangladesh Gabon Kyrgyz Republic Nigeria Congo, Rep. Benin Portugal Spain China Greece Slovenia South Africa Czech Republic Thailand Italy Belgium Denmark Netherlands Korea, Rep. Australia Canada Germany Ireland New Zealand Finland Austria Malaysia France Israel Switzerland Sweden United Kingdom Hong Kong, China Norway Japan United States 0.1.2.4.8 Mean TCIPI over 1990-2003 Source: Oyelaran- Oyeyinka (2006) SMEs 19
Africa Compared SMEs 20
How To Compete: The China Example Create Enabling Financial Incentives and Policies Increase Investment in Infrastructure (2002-03) Tax Policy Four targeted electronics products % Growth of total investments in infrastructure Exemption of production taxes, half of the income taxes and tariffs of key equipments Pick up 10% of R&D expenses 93 122 87 80 52 Exemption of importation taxes on significant imported projects Iron/ Steel Cement Automobile Textile Coal Development Fund Allocation of RMB100 million per year to support technology adaptation, technology and commercialization of the above four products Strong commitment to core industries Increasing investments by almost 80% from the late 90s Increase Investment in Knowledge (RMB MM) Used as fund for several start ups 7,000 6,000 Total R&D Investment Subsidies Licences Allocation RMB200 million as loan subsidies to support the application of computers Importation licence management on computer and components 5,000 4,000 3,000 2,000 1,000 0 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 SMEs 21
Capability to Compete is based on Knowledge and Infrastructure Capacity Following Figures show that wealth generation is: Inversely proportional to employment in agriculture; Positively related to technical enrolment in universities; Positively related to knowledge infrastructure (Internet users) Internet users are highly correlated with telephone use Internet use is positively related to computer use SMEs 22
Figure: Agricultural Labour in GDP and per Capital Income Per Capita Income (2000) in USD 4000.00 3000.00 2000.00 1000.00.00 0 20 40 60 80 100 % Agriculture Labour in 1990 SMEs 23
Figure: Technical Subjects Enrolment in Universities and per Capital Income Per Capita Income (2000) in USD 4000.00 3000.00 2000.00 1000.00.00.000.050.100.150.200 Technical Subjects Enrolement SMEs 24
Figure: Internet use and GDP per capita in USD (2000) In te rn e t U s e rs 800 700 600 500 400 300 200 100 0 R 2 = 0.6138 0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 GDP per capita (USD) SMEs 25
Figure: Internet use and telephone density (2000) 1000 In te rn e t U s ers 800 600 400 200 R 2 = 0.9346 0 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 Telephone Density SMEs 26
Current Initiatives Poised to Drive Growth Government deregulation of the real sector NEEDS Commissioning of several transport projects CBN led African Financial Corporation initiative Directive to increase National content Development of credit bureau EFCC, NAFDAC, NEITI Privatisation of Government assets Creation of free trade zones (Calabar and Lekki) [ ] [ ] Regulatory bank capital allocation for SMEs SMEs 27
But Require Systemic SME Business Framework Key building blocks for an enabling SME business environment include: SME Business Framework Basic science and technology Knowledge Base Legal and regulatory structure Technological institutions Basic Physical and technological infrastructure IPR/ Patents Labour market Financial and incentive structures In Nigeria today, significant leadership is particularly required in these areas Market orientation Regulatory institutions SME Firm Infrastructure Skilled workforce Financing SMEs 28
Systemic Functions for Supporting SMEs 1) Knowledge Support including targeted R&D and Design; 2) Competence building: formal and non-formal training in educational institutions and training of technical manpower in firms and organizations; 3) Supply of inputs, particularly finance for production and innovation and for the development of scientific, technical and managerial manpower; flow of Foreign Direct Investment FDIs, venture capital and loans; 4) Provision of regulatory frameworks and measures, standards and quality functions (such as product quality tests) and provision of incentives to develop new products and services; SMEs 29
Systemic Functions for Supporting SMEs 5) Facilitation of the exchange and dissemination of knowledge and information; 6) Stimulation of demand and creation of markets through govt procurement policies; 7) Reduction of uncertainties and resolution of conflicts through appropriate institutions, such as industrial arbitration. SMEs 30
National Economic System for Production and Innovation Financial System Framework Conditions Science policy Innovation policy Rules & Regulations Incubators, Mentoring Education & Training Intermediaries Human capita l Firms R&D Venture Capital Firms system Large, small, MNCs, NTBFs, MARKETS Business support SMEs 31
Proposal: Broad Vision 1. Nurture 200 manufactured export SMEs distributed across sectors by 2020 ; 2. SMEs to contribute to increased employment, national income generation and export revenues: raise manufactured exports of SMEs to 10% by 2010; 20% by 2015; and 25% by 2020; 3. Expand domestic oriented SME, through: The creation of new and innovative firms; and The graduation of as many informal enterprises as possible into the formal sector. SMEs 32
Recommendations and Proposals (1)Short Time Must Do Now! Basic Infrastructure that is targeted; Designate SME Clusters as Priority Economic Zones (PEZs)for Infrastructure support including power, water and broadband. These include traditional technology clusters: leather works, agro-processing (cassava, oil palm, automotive components etc.. High-tech clusters include ICTs, biotechnology for specific products to solve health and food problems SMEs 33
Promote High-Tech Industrial Clusters Establish a framework and A Fund Mechanism to raise the capability of local computer component assemblers; With private actors build high tech parks for hardware and computer software; Build Model technology Incubators within parks; Build on existing institutions such as NIPRID, SHEDCO etc to spin-off SMEs that draw on research from these organizations. Framework to move research into market using SMEs SMEs 34
Better Systems Coordination Establish a National Foundation for Innovation, and Competitiveness (NAFIC). It will comprise the CBN, Ministries of S&T, Industry, Finance, SMEDAN and NPC and located in the presidency; The NFIC will include representatives of the private sector as well as international and national individuals appointed on their merit; Malaysia, the UK, India and Hong Kong among others have such bodies. SMEs 35
Knowledge of Sector In collaboration with other agencies: Deepen the knowledge of the sector through surveys and studies of SMEs; Organize periodic fora to bring together sectoral SME groups with suppliers, buyers etc.. Organize the Nigeria SMEs on the Web Project SMEs 36
SMEs can Replicate Other Success Stories Tremendous growth in the SME sector can be achieved, with the right amount of economic enabling Strong growth in Banking (Agusto report, 2007) Total Banking Industry Loans and Advances (N Bn) Successful case studies from the banking and telecom sectors show the growth potential inherent in unreformed business sectors 560 658 846 1,171 1,396 Further impetus within the broader Nigerian socioeconomic environment provide a compelling case for the SME sector growth potential, such as aforementioned initiatives driving growth 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 Unprecedented growth in Telecoms 35 Mobile phone subscriber base (MM) 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 Jan01 Aug02 Mar04 Oct05 Apr07 SMEs 37
In Conclusion Nigeria is on the right track, but much still needs to be done to promote SMEs SMEs 38
END Thank You SMEs 39