Source: Daily Trust
The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) has unveiled a strategic partnership with the German International Agency (GIZ) and Mastercard to fast-track the growth of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria.
In an announcement made in Abuja, SMEDAN’s Director-General, Charles Odii, disclosed that the partnership will be officially launched at the forthcoming 2024 National MSME Conference. Themed “Grow Nigerian: Sustaining an Innovation and Digital-Driven Economy,” this event will serve as a major platform for Nigeria’s leading entrepreneurs, policymakers, and key stakeholders in the SME sector to converge.
Odii highlighted that the conference will concentrate on strengthening local production capacities and increasing export revenues across eight vital sectors: agriculture, light manufacturing, fashion, creative and entertainment industries, digital innovation, tourism, and education. He also noted that prominent business leaders such as Tony Elumelu, Chairman of Heirs Holdings, and Hakeem Belo-Osagie, Chairman of Metis Capital Partners, would attend the event, alongside global experts like Jonathan Ortmans, President of the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN).
The conference will feature a wide array of activities, including workshops on digital skills development, led by industry leaders such as Chude Jideonwo, co-founder of Red Media, and Google. In addition, entrepreneurs will have opportunities to pitch for investments through competitions, networking sessions, and masterclasses focused on scaling business growth.
One of the standout moments of the conference will be the premiere of the second season of “The Smart Money Woman,” a widely popular series designed to enhance financial literacy among Nigerians.
Key government agencies like NAFDAC, CAC, SON, and NEXIM will also be present to provide essential regulatory guidance and support to SMEs. The event will culminate in an awards ceremony, with Vice-President Kashim Shettima set to lead the recognition of government officials for their outstanding efforts in advancing SME development across Nigeria.
Through this collaboration, SMEDAN, GIZ, and Mastercard are set to foster a more dynamic, innovation-driven business ecosystem for MSMEs, enabling them to thrive in the evolving digital economy.
