The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency says, its targeting to create more jobs in the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises sector through its “GROW Nigerian” strategy.
The Director-General of SMEDAN, Charles Odii, disclosed this during a strategic meeting with members of the Commerce and Industry Correspondents Association of Nigeria in Abuja.
Odii said through the strategy of GROW which is an acronym for Guidance, Resources, Opportunities, and Workforce Support, SMEDAN would be able to assist SMEs overcome common obstacles and experience growth in various sectors of the Nigerian economy.
The DG noted that, through the strategy, SMEDAN would provide small businesses with expert advice, mentorship, and strategic direction to navigate challenges and maximise growth potentials; equip them with essential tools, funding, technology and infrastructure necessary for operational efficiency and sustainability.
He added that, the GROW strategy would enable SMEDAN to create platforms and market access opportunities for small businesses to showcase their products and services as well as expand their reach.
The SMEDAN Boss added that the agency would also be offering training and skill development programmes and resources to empower entrepreneurs and their teams, fostering productivity and innovation within small businesses.
“GROW Nigerian is SMEDAN’s strategic blueprint outlining plans to accelerate economic growth by providing vital resources to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in key sectors of the Nigerian economy.
“It proposes our theory of change which holds that by providing adequate Guidance, Resources, Opportunities, and Workforce Support (GROW), SMEs can overcome common obstacles and experience growth.”
The SMEDAN DG further reveals that, over 90,000 jobs have been created through the implementation of various initiatives in the first quarter of 2025. Adding that, through the GROW Nigerian strategy, the agency would be focusing on eight critical sectors of the Nigerian economy.
The eight critical areas are agriculture value chain, fashion and textile industry, tourism and hospitality, manufacturing and production, education, Nigerian digital economy, innovation and new tech adoption.
He expressed optimism that through some of the programmes being implemented by SMEDAN, the agency would be able to address some of the identified challenges facing MSMEs businesses in Nigeria.
He identified difficulty in accessing capital and funding for business ventures, high operating costs, regulatory burdens which include issues such as multiple taxation, high registration costs, and bureaucratic bottlenecks, and lack of skilled workforce and training opportunities as challenges facing the agency
Others are inadequate physical and technological infrastructure, especially in rural areas, poor market access, limited access to technology and innovation as well as insufficient access to cutting edge technology and innovative resources.
“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 and they will build sustainable businesses that will create jobs, improve our quality of life and deliver value for all,” Odii concluded.
