The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) has rolled out a new plan it believes could transform the country’s business landscape. Dubbed “GROW Nigerian,” the initiative aims to address long-standing challenges in the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector, and in doing so, create jobs, boost productivity, and support economic growth.
SMEDAN Director-General, Charles Odii, shared details of the programme during a press briefing with the Commerce and Industry Correspondents Association of Nigeria in Abuja. According to Odii, “GROW Nigerian is SMEDAN’s strategic blueprint outlining plans to accelerate economic growth by providing vital resources to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in key sectors of the Nigerian economy.”
The strategy hinges on four pillars: Guidance, Resources, Opportunities, and Workforce Support. In practice, this means offering small business owners tailored advice, funding opportunities, market access, essential work tools, and ongoing training. The goal is to help MSMEs scale efficiently, overcome operational bottlenecks, and remain competitive across different industries.
Creating Jobs and Tackling Old Challenges
Results from the first quarter of 2025 suggest SMEDAN’s new approach may already be making an impact. The agency reported the creation of 90,160 jobs during the period, while over 116,000 entrepreneurs benefited from various forms of support — including mentorship, training, and access to funding.
Odii pointed to systemic issues still affecting small businesses in Nigeria. These include limited access to capital, high operating costs, multiple taxation, and weak infrastructure — especially in rural communities. He also cited skill gaps and low technology adoption as major setbacks. “If SMEDAN, in collaboration with key partners and stakeholders, empower entrepreneurs with the right combination of what they need to grow — knowledge, capital, team support, access to market, network and ecosystem support — their growth will be accelerated,” he noted.
Looking ahead, SMEDAN plans to channel its efforts into eight vital sectors: agriculture, fashion and textile, tourism and hospitality, manufacturing, education, the digital economy, innovation, and new technology adoption. The belief is that targeting these industries could unlock large-scale economic benefits and enhance the nation’s development prospects.
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