MTN Nigeria has launched a cloud service for Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) in that country.

According to company officials, MTN is the first telecoms operator to offer cloud services to small businesses in the West African nation.

Speaking at the launch in Lagos, Babatunde Osho, MTN chief enterprise solutions officer, said SMEs in Nigeria can now usual enterprise solutions without the usual attendant costs.

The services, he said, could help small businesses boost their productivity and profitability.

“No matter what entrepreneurs need, MTN cloud services can help take their business to new heights," he said.

MTN's cloud service includes a range of prepaid cloud-based services designed to offer Human Resource Management, Customer Relationship Management and other enterprise software over a secure internet connection, without any of the associated IT infrastructure costs.

These services are available on the MTN Business Nigeria online portal.

In Nigeria, SMEs contribute more than 40% to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).