‘Nigerian Businesses Suffering from Scale-up Deficit Disorder’

Mary Nnah

Managing Director of Seven-Up Bottling Company and convener of SME Scaleup, Ziad Maalouf, took the stage at TEDx PAU (Pan-Atlantic University) to address a critical challenge facing many small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria: the Scaleup Deficit Disorder (SDD).

The renowned business leader, who has successfully led the growth of Seven-Up Bottling Company for over a decade, shared his journey and insights to help Nigerian entrepreneurs avoid the mistakes he made in scaling up his business.

He emphasised that while 98% of Nigeria’s entrepreneurs have this disorder, they are extraordinary in their potential.

“The problem is YOU,” Maalouf emphasised. “The cure for Scaleup Deficit Disorder starts with a clear focus on growth strategies. You have to take responsibility for your business’s growth and not wait for external factors to change”, he said

Maalouf’s talk resonated with many, as he highlighted the critical need for business owners to invest in scalable systems, disciplined decision-making, and a growth-oriented mindset.

He also shared a compelling case study of a Nigerian SME that adopted a structured approach to cost reduction, strategic hiring, and operational efficiency, resulting in significant success.

In just four months, the company’s revenue soared to 310 million Naira, and within a year, it crossed the billion Naira mark.

Maalouf attributed this success to the company’s focus on scalable systems, disciplined decision-making, and a growth-oriented mindset.

Other speakers included Dr. Cosmas Maduka, President and Chairman of Coscharis Group, on entrepreneurial success and mentoring the next generation of entrepreneurs, Mr. Michael Olugbemi, Programme Director, Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (P-CNGi), on how gas can power Nigeria into the future, Mrs Adesuwa Ifedi, Africa Senior Vice President for Heifer International, on leadership, scaling for development, and fostering strategic partnerships Prof. Fabian Ajogwu, Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Professor at Lagos Business School, on education that amplifies entrepreneurial skills, Dr. Peter Bamkole, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Pan-Atlantic University, on the importance of collaboration and innovation in entrepreneurship and Ms Temitope Runsewe, of Dutum Construction, on navigating the complexities of the family business.