Nigeria’s Vice President has announced that the country is making strategic investments in digital infrastructure to help Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) access wider markets across Africa. He made this known in Abuja while inaugurating the oversight committee responsible for organising the 4th African Union (AU) MSME Forum, which will take place in Abuja from June 23 to 27, 2025.
According to a statement released by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, the forum is expected to attract 6,000 SMEs from across Africa, alongside 145 global partners. It will serve as a platform for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and showcasing investment opportunities for MSMEs on the continent.
The Vice President highlighted that while over 83 percent of Africa’s employment comes from the informal economy, the continent is not lacking in innovation. He noted that the administration has been aligning Nigeria’s policies on investment, digital trade, and competition with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework. As part of this effort, Nigeria has created a Technology Export and Digital Trade Desk to help entrepreneurs expand into African markets.
He also mentioned key government programmes such as the i-DICE Programme—a \$617.7 million initiative to boost digital and creative enterprises—and the 3 Million Tech Talent Programme, which aims to train young Nigerians in digital skills like coding and data science. These are part of the administration’s larger plan to drive digital transformation and economic renewal.
The Vice President affirmed that Nigeria is committed to leading Africa’s digital trade revolution, adding that the country is currently harmonizing its laws to enable safe and scalable cross-border commerce.
The forum, he said, is more than an event—it’s a critical platform to empower African MSMEs and support the economic goals of the continent. He stressed that collaboration is essential for long-term success.
The chairman of the organizing committee, who serves as the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, said the event aligns with Tinubu’s agenda for MSME development. The Special Adviser to the President on Job Creation and MSMEs also assured that the committee is working to deliver a high-quality, globally respected event.
Other members of the oversight committee include the heads of the Bank of Industry, the Federal Inland Revenue Service, and SMEDAN. The forum will culminate with the National SME Awards, celebrating innovation and excellence among Nigerian enterprises.
