The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) has secured over ₦11 billion in financing and created more than 100,000 jobs, significantly boosting Nigeria’s small business sector.
Director-General Charles Odii credited the success to a targeted strategy focused on expanding access to finance, tools, and capacity-building for entrepreneurs. He noted that the achievements align with Nigeria’s broader goals of inclusive growth and job creation.
Through collaboration with the National Assembly, SMEDAN has provided thousands of entrepreneurs with equipment and revitalized Industrial Development Centers (IDCs) in Abuja, Osun, and Katsina, enabling access to modern machinery, steady power, and enterprise support.
Odii highlighted partnerships with global institutions such as UNDP, GIZ, and Google, which have enhanced the digital and technical capabilities of local entrepreneurs and opened doors to global markets.
In a bid to simplify business processes, SMEDAN is working with agencies like the CAC, NAFDAC, SON, and FIRS to streamline SME registration and compliance.
To empower youth, the agency is collaborating with the NYSC and other institutions to transform innovative ideas into thriving enterprises. A flagship initiative—the Garment and Textile Hub at Idu IDC, Abuja—offers fashion entrepreneurs access to solar-powered industrial machines and steady electricity.
Reaffirming SMEDAN’s commitment to SME development, Odii emphasized the ongoing implementation of the “GROW Nigeria” strategy, which prioritizes guidance, resources, opportunities, and workforce development to drive national economic transformation.
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