By Lucy Ogalue
The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) says it will partner the German International Agency (GIZ) and Mastercard to boost Micro Small and Medium Enterprises development in Nigeria.
Mr Charles Odii, Director-General of SMEDAN, said this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.
Odii said that the organisations were set to host the 2024 National MSME Conference that would ensure the partnership.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event is themed “Grow Nigerian: Sustaining an Innovation and Digital-Driven Economy.”
The D-G described the event as the most significant convergence of entrepreneurs, policymakers, enablers, public-private sector stakeholders, and supporting institutions in Nigeria’s Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) ecosystem.
“The conference will focus on driving development in the MSME sector within the eight key sectors identified in the Grow Nigerian strategy to strengthen Nigeria’s local production potential and raise export revenue.
” This will be achieved through the provision of guidance, opportunities, resources, and workforce support to SMEs by SMEDAN,” he said.
The director-general named the sectors to include agriculture, light manufacturing, fashion, creative and entertainment, digital and innovation, tourism, and education.
He said that Nigeria’s most successful entrepreneurs and renowned experts have confirmed their attendance at the event.
“They include Tony Elumelu, Chairman of Heirs Holdings; Hakeem Belo-Osagie, Chairman of Metis Capital Partners; and Jonathan Ortmans, Founder and President of the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN).
“A key highlight of the event is the planned premiere of the second season of the popular drama series, “The Smart Money Woman”.
According to Odii, the conference activities will include one-stop shops featuring heads of government agencies and financial and compliance organisations.
He listed the organisations to include National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC), Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Nigeria Customs and Bank of Industry (BOI).
Others are Nigeria Export Import Bank (NEXIM), Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), among others.
Odii said that Google, the UN, and other prominent thought leaders, including Chude Jideonwo, the Co-founder of Red Media and Joy Inc., would lead masterclasses focused on digital skills development.
“Additional activities will include a deals room where scalable businesses will obtain investments from venture capital firms.
“There will be a pitch competition for entrepreneurs to showcase their ideas and receive funding; and networking events to facilitate connections and partnerships.
“The conference will conclude with an award ceremony led by the Vice-President Kashim Shettima on the final day.
” Government actors from across the six zones will be recognised for their contributions to SME development through reforms, financial investments, targeted infrastructure, and other developmental contributions,” he said. (NAN)