The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the International Trade Facilitation Association (ITFA), has announced plans to launch a $50 million fund to support international certification for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in Nigeria.
The initiative was unveiled in Abuja during the opening of a three-day Support to Potential and Established Nature-Positive MSMEs in Nigeria (SPEM) Partner Learning Session themed “Sustainability as a Mindset: Lessons from the Field.”
The UNDP explained that the programme, organised through its GEF Small Grants Programme in collaboration with ITFA and the Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC), is the first of its kind in the country. It is designed to help civil society organisations as well as emerging and established MSMEs meet global standards while driving a greener and more inclusive economy.
The UNDP noted that more than 300 MSMEs and NGOs across the six geopolitical zones have already been engaged over the past six weeks through activities that promote sustainability, encourage knowledge-sharing, and identify challenges such as financing, certification costs, and limited access to networks.
The programme is expected to open new doors for Nigerian businesses and NGOs by lowering barriers to international markets through mechanisms like the Standards & Certification Fund, which was seeded with ITFA’s initial contribution. The UNDP stressed that beyond grants, MSMEs and NGOs need global standards, strong networks, and technical knowledge to be truly competitive.
Through the initiative, Nigeria aims to build resilient, nature-positive businesses that contribute to job creation, climate resilience, gender equality, and sustainable trade. The fund also directly supports the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, with particular emphasis on decent work and economic growth, responsible consumption and production, and climate action.
The National Coordinator of the GEF Small Grants Programme highlighted that the idea emerged from UNDP headquarters to transform NGOs from grant-dependent organisations into sustainable social enterprises. She cited a breakthrough case where, for the first time, a Nigerian civil society group exported internationally certified shea butter to the UK and the United States, thanks to the support of ITFA.
ITFA’s Coordinator said the association has mobilised resources for the project and will provide participants with practical tools to help them apply global certification standards in their businesses.
With support from partners including NEPC, NEXIM, Afreximbank, and the private sector, the initiative is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s position in global trade by making its MSMEs export-ready and resilient beyond grant cycles.
