Small and Medium Enterprises Support
In a difficult and unpredictable landscape characterised by poor public infrastructure, inefficient legal system, continuous structural changes and enhanced competitive pressures, the role of SMEs in the Nigerian economy has become even more important. SMEs constitute the main providers of employment opportunities and key players for the wellbeing of local and regional communities. However, due to their relative limitations, SMEs need targeted assistance in order to continue their positive contribution to the economy, including assistance in entering new markets, improving their business, fulfilling their needs for technology transfer, their access to financial support and funding for research & development, as well as accessing innovation related services, including training, investment, or employment. We provide expert financial advice and match SMEs with suppliers and markets that require favorable terms to participate in.
Economic Analysis and Impact Studies
Economic analysis measures the social and economic outcomes of an initiative. These outcomes can impact the business, community, region or Nigeria as a whole. A socio-economic analysis also describes demographic trends and indicators like population, gender and age.Socio-economic analyses help decision makers understand the impacts of resource management decisions. Analyses contribute to developing policies and management plans. This allows decision makers to foster economic prosperity.
We support organisations and governments in conducting economic impact surveys to achieve the following: 1. Economic impact studies examines the effect of a policy, program, project, activity or event on the economy of a given area. The area can range from a neighborhood to the entire globe. Economic impact is usually measured in terms of changes in economic growth (output or value added) and associated changes in jobs (employment) and income (wages). 2. The analysis typically measures or estimates the level of economic activity occurring at a given time with the project or policy occurring, and calculating the difference from what would otherwise be expected if the project or policy did not occur (which is referred to as the counterfactual case). This analysis can be done either before or after the fact (ex ante or ex post). The term economic impact can be applied to analysis of the economic contribution of a given activity or industry to the existing local economy.
Project Management and Evaluation
Support businesses and governments in project monitoring and evaluation by determining:
- Results Chain: inputs, processes, outputs, outcomes and impacts for development projects, programs or strategies
- Importance of feedback and lessons learned
- Role of partners and stakeholders
- Building monitoring and evaluation teams with defined roles and strong capabilities
- Establishing a hierarchy of project objectives
- Defining scope of monitoring and evaluations
- Selecting analytical tools, methodologies or approaches enabling measurement and attribution
- Importance of data quality and collection and baseline data
- Measuring and assessing project/program output relevance, efficiency and effectiveness in achieving outcomes
- Measuring and assessing level, sustainability, innovativeness, replicability and scalability of impacts from project/program outcomes on physical and financial assets; human assets; social capital and people’s empowerment; food security; environment and communal resource base; institutions, policies and regulations
- Budgeting
- Managing monitoring and evaluation processes •Anticipating and resolving problems
Feasibility Studies
We assist organizations conduct feasibility studies to measure the viability of projects before they commit huge funds into them. A feasibility study is an evaluation and analysis of the potential of the proposed project which is based on extensive investigation and research to give full comfort to the decisions makers. Feasibility studies aim to objectively and rationally uncover the strengths and weaknesses of an existing business or proposed venture, opportunities and threats as presented by the environment, the resources required to carry through, and ultimately the prospects for success. In its simplest terms, the two criteria to judge feasibility are cost required and value to be attained.
Market Research
We assist organisations in market research to make them competitive and position them to take advantage of information within their chosen market. Market research is any organized effort to gather information about markets or customers. It is a very important component of business strategy. Market research is a key factor to get advantage over competitors. Market research provides important information to identify and analyze the market need, market size and competition. Market research, which includes social and opinion research, is the systematic gathering and interpretation of information about individuals or organizations using statistical and analytical methods and techniques of the applied social sciences to gain insight or support decision making.
Project Management
We provide our clients with proven solutions that are both effective and cost-efficient. Not only do our consultants have the experience to roll-up their sleeves to help drive your high-priority project to successful completion, but they also have the expertise to mentor your personnel through the process of adopting a more structured approach. If you require a customized approach, our personnel will work with your organization to deliver near-term successes on your projects while moving your organization in the right direction.
Auditing
Companies, public sector bodies and other organisations need to know that their accounting systems are working effectively, in order to minimise risks such as possible loss of assets and also to ensure that their financial statements do not contain material errors. We provide independent assurance that the internal systems and controls of the organisation are adequate, effective and appropriate to the accounting and financial risks of their organisation. We check that everything is as it should be, with objective reviews that are independent of the executive management team. We assign audit and assurance experts to carry out internal control and system reviews, and our report can then be used as a basis for further improvements. Our internal control and system reviews are particularly important for:-Businesses or organisations which are based in multiple locations-Situations when problems in financial reporting and internal controls have come to light-When businesses or organisations are restructuring or merging-Rapid growth organisations. At African Themes Limited, we take a 360° approach in our expert reviews, suggesting improvements throughout your system and identifying and eliminating potential problems.