President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has accepted the composition of an Oversight Committee to prepare Nigeria’s internet hosting of 6,000 SMEs on the 4th African Union Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Discussion board, scheduled to happen from June 23 to 27 in Abuja.
Based on a press release by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Particular Assistant to the President on Media & Communications (Workplace of the Vice President), dated April 30, 2025, about 6,000 African SMEs and 145 world companions will probably be current on the occasion.
The 2025 version of the Discussion board is themed: “Constructing Resilient MSMEs by way of Digital Innovation, Market Entry & Reasonably priced Financing for Africa.”
Empowerment Technique
The assertion famous that the AU MSME Discussion board was initiated as an annual occasion by the African Union Fee (AUC) as a method to empower micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, develop intra-African worth chains, and bolster regional commerce.
- President Tinubu’s Committee is tasked with guaranteeing satisfactory planning for the profitable internet hosting of the Discussion board.
- The occasion will function paper shows, panel discussions, sponsored aspect occasions, exhibitions, networking classes, MSME enterprise pitching occasions, and the presentation of prizes to deserving Nigerian entrepreneurs.
The Committee, chaired by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Workplace of the Vice President), Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, consists of the next members:
- Minister of Trade, Commerce and Funding, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole
- Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Financial system, Dr. Bosun Tijani
- Minister of Artwork, Tradition, Tourism and the Inventive Financial system, Hon. Hannatu Musawa
- Minister of State, Trade, Commerce and Funding, Senator John Owan Enoh
Different members embody:
- Govt Director, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mrs. Nonye Ayeni
- Govt Secretary, Nigerian Funding Promotion Fee (NIPC), Mrs. Aisha Rimi
- Managing Director, Bank of Industry, Dr. Olasupo Olusi
- Chairman, Federal Inland Income Service (FIRS), Mr. Zacch Adedeji
- MD/CEO, NEXIM Bank, Mr. Abba Bello
- Director-Normal, SMEDAN, Mr. Charles Odii
- President, NACCIMA, Mr. Dele Kelvin Oye, Esq.
- Deputy Director, African Union Division, Ministry of Overseas Affairs, Mr. Anthony N. Alonwu
“The Particular Adviser to the President on Job Creation and MSMEs (Workplace of the Vice President), Mr. Temitola Adekunle-Johnson, will function the Host Nation Coordinator and Secretary of the Committee,” the assertion added.
- The presidency additionally famous that internet hosting rights for the Discussion board rotate amongst African member international locations.
- Egypt, Ethiopia, and Namibia have respectively hosted the primary three editions of the Discussion board since its inception in 2022.
Extra Insights
In a video assertion, Mr. Temitola Adekunle-Johnson emphasised, “We’ve got SMEs—shut to six,000—from all African international locations, plus 145 totally different companions from all around the world coming to Nigeria to discover methods to help SMEs within the nation and throughout the continent.”
He added that SMEs from throughout Nigeria can have the chance to have interaction with their counterparts from different African nations.
“It can permit them to unlock potential and uncover new alternatives each inside Nigeria, throughout Africa, and globally,” he stated.
The five-day occasion will conclude with the Nationwide SME Awards.
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