The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) has announced a partnership with the German International Agency (GIZ) and Mastercard to accelerate the development of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria.
Speaking in Abuja, Charles Odii, Director-General of SMEDAN, revealed that the collaboration would be formalized at the upcoming 2024 National MSME Conference, themed “Grow Nigerian: Sustaining an Innovation and Digital-Driven Economy. This major event is set to bring together Nigeria’s top entrepreneurs, policymakers, and key stakeholders in the SME sector.
Odii emphasized that the conference would focus on enhancing local production and boosting export revenues across eight key sectors: agriculture, light manufacturing, fashion, creative and entertainment, digital innovation, tourism, and education. He also highlighted that Tony Elumelu, Chairman of Heirs Holdings, and Hakeem Belo-Osagie, Chairman of Metis Capital Partners, would be in attendance, alongside international experts like Jonathan Ortmans, President of the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN).
The event will feature a range of activities, including workshops on digital skills led by thought leaders such as Chude Jideonwo, co-founder of Red Media, and Google. It will also offer entrepreneurs opportunities to secure investments through pitch competitions, networking sessions, and masterclasses on business growth.
One of the conference’s key highlights will be the premiere of the second season of “The Smart Money Woman”, a popular series aimed at promoting financial literacy.
Government agencies such as NAFDAC, CAC, SON, and NEXIM will also be present, offering guidance and support to SMEs. The event will conclude with an awards ceremony led by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, recognizing government leaders for their efforts in fostering SME development across Nigeria.
With this partnership, SMEDAN, GIZ, and Mastercard aim to create a more dynamic and innovative business environment for MSMEs, positioning them to thrive in a digital-driven economy.
