The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced a strategic partnership with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) to promote local production, enhance cross-border trade, and support the growth of small businesses.
Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed this collaboration during a meeting with SMEDAN Director-General, Charles Oidi, and his team at the NCS headquarters in Abuja. Adeniyi revealed that a dedicated SMEDAN team will be stationed at NCS offices to provide specialized assistance for small businesses engaged in cross-border trade.
“The population of SMEs cannot be ignored. Whatever you do with them, you do it to strengthen the economy of the nation,” Adeniyi emphasized.
Nigeria’s economy is heavily reliant on the informal sector, with SMEs playing a pivotal role. According to a SMEDAN National Survey, there are 41 million micro-businesses and 73,000 small and medium enterprises driving job creation and economic activity. However, SMEs often face significant challenges in their operations.
Mr. Oidi commended the NCS for its commitment to supporting SMEs and emphasized the importance of collaboration between government agencies and the SME sector. “SMEDAN remains dedicated to identifying bottlenecks, designing inclusive solutions, and implementing effective strategies to support the growth of SMEs in Nigeria,” he said.
Oidi also promised to enhance the agency’s efforts to boost the sector’s contribution to Nigeria’s economy, positioning SMEs for greater success in domestic and international markets.
