The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) recently participated in a two-day workshop centered on the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), an initiative that promotes duty-free exports of selected goods to the United States. Organized by USAID Nigeria and Prosper Africa, the event focused on preparing Nigerian SMEs for export and enhancing Nigeria’s participation in the AGOA framework.
During the workshop, SMEDAN’s Director General, Charles Odii, highlighted the event’s alignment with the agency’s #GROWNigerian strategy. Odii noted that such partnerships are essential in empowering SMEs to expand their reach into the lucrative U.S. market, fostering Nigeria-US trade relations, and driving Nigeria’s economic growth.
“Building a solid foundation for SMEs to export high-quality goods not only expands their market reach but also contributes significantly to Nigeria’s economic resilience,” said Odii. He emphasized SMEDAN’s commitment to providing educational resources and support and addressing bureaucratic barriers to help Nigerian SMEs succeed in international markets.
SMEDAN’s active role in initiatives like the AGOA workshop underscores its dedication to equipping Nigerian businesses to compete globally. By collaborating with key stakeholders, SMEDAN aims to streamline processes, reduce obstacles, and enable SMEs to take advantage of international trade agreements such as AGOA.
As Nigeria strives to bolster its non-oil export sector, SMEDAN’s #GROWNigerian strategy continues to support SMEs in reaching new markets, stimulating economic growth, and fostering global competitiveness for Nigerian businesses.
