Source: The Guardian Nigerian News
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has unveiled a strategic alliance with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) aimed at boosting local production, facilitating cross-border trade, and fostering the growth of small businesses.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, announced this partnership during a meeting with SMEDAN’s Director-General, Charles Oidi, and his team at the NCS headquarters in Abuja. Adeniyi revealed that a specialized SMEDAN team will be positioned at NCS offices to provide targeted support for small businesses involved in cross-border trade.
“The SME population is too significant to overlook. Any initiative involving them strengthens the national economy,” Adeniyi stressed.
Nigeria’s economy leans heavily on the informal sector, with SMEs playing a central role. A SMEDAN National Survey reports there are 41 million micro-businesses and 73,000 small and medium enterprises contributing to job creation and economic growth. However, SMEs often encounter substantial operational challenges.
Mr. Oidi praised the NCS for its dedication to supporting small businesses and highlighted the need for collaboration between government bodies and the SME sector. “SMEDAN is committed to identifying barriers, crafting inclusive solutions, and implementing strategies that support SME growth in Nigeria,” Oidi remarked.
He further pledged to enhance the agency’s efforts in elevating the sector’s impact on Nigeria’s economy, helping position SMEs for greater success both in domestic and international markets.
