The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in collaboration with the International Trade Facilitation Association (ITFA), has announced plans to launch a $50 million fund to support the international certification of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) across Nigeria.
The initiative was unveiled in Abuja at the opening of a three-day Support to Potential and Established Nature-Positive MSMEs (SPEM) Partner Learning Session, themed “Sustainability as a Mindset: Lessons from the Field.”
Speaking at the event, UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria, Ms. Elsie Attafuah, said the fund is expected to lower barriers for MSMEs and NGOs seeking global market access.
“This initiative represents a movement towards embedding sustainability across Nigeria’s MSME sector. True sustainability must extend beyond grants—our enterprises need international certifications, strong networks, and the right knowledge as much as they need capital,” she stated.
Attafuah, who was represented by UNDP Economics Advisor, Dr. Tony Muhumuza, disclosed that more than 300 MSMEs and NGOs across all six geopolitical zones have already been engaged in activities promoting sustainability, matchmaking, and business cross-learning.
She explained that the new Standards & Certification Fund, seeded initially with ITFA’s contribution, will help businesses secure certifications needed to meet international standards, especially in sectors such as agriculture, agro-processing, renewable energy, and natural products.
National Coordinator of the UNDP/GEF Small Grants Programme, Mrs. Ibironke Olubamise, highlighted that the idea for supporting NGOs through certification arose from UNDP’s recognition that many CSOs operate hand-to-mouth.
“Most NGOs wait for the next grant cycle. But through this initiative, we want to transform them into social enterprises that can generate profit, sustain operations, and expand their community impact,” she explained.
Olubamise cited the success of the Ashi Integrated Global Foundation, one of UNDP’s beneficiaries, which secured Nigeria’s first internationally certified shea butter exports to the U.K. and U.S. two years ago through this model.
In his address, ITFA Coordinator, Dr. Collins Ezeiruaku, explained that the Certification Fund would be critical in scaling Nigerian MSMEs to international standards.
“For this fund, we are looking to raise about $50 million. The goal is to get more MSMEs and institutions certified for global markets. Many MSMEs operate like NGOs and often do not outlive their founders because they lack structure. Certification, networks, and knowledge are essential to changing that story,” he said.
Ezeiruaku also encouraged participants to build connections during the three-day programme: “In the same room, someone may have a problem with fish feed, while another is producing fish feed. By sharing experiences, solutions emerge without money exchanging hands. Money is important, but sustainability requires more than funding.”
