By Eshiorameh Sebastian, Abuja
Nigeria’s capital city, Abuja is set to take centre stage as the country hosts the 4th African Union Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Forum from June 23 to 27, 2025, bringing together delegates from over 50 African nations in a major push to tackle the critical challenges facing small businesses across the continent.
The forum’s focus on affordable financing, digital transformation and expanded market access comes at a crucial time when African economies are seeking sustainable pathways to boost entrepreneurship and intra-continental trade.
During a press briefing at the Presidential Villa on Friday, Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President in the Office of the Vice President, set the tone for what promises to be a transformative gathering.
He emphasised that the forum represents a strategic opportunity to strengthen policies, foster valuable partnerships and create an enabling environment where small businesses can not just survive but truly thrive.
โThe principal objective is to empower Micro, Small, and Medium-Sized Enterprises, develop intra-African value chains, and strengthen policies on MSME development through fostering strategic partnerships that will eventually empower MSMEs to thrive on the continent,โ he said.
Senator Hadejia called on key players and stakeholders in the Nigerian ecosystem to leverage the platform provided by the forum to build new networks for investments and market access across Africa and beyond.
On his part, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, said while Nigeria is rising again and the world is paying attention, the approval for the hosting of the event by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is one way of showcasing to the world that Nigeria is ready to do business.
“It is one of the first pedestals of opening up our economy to the rest of the world,” the Minister pointed out, just as he urged the media to support the successful hosting of the event.
On his part, Minister of Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Barr. Hannatu Musawa expressed optimism that the forthcoming 4th African Union MSME Forum will positively impact the culture and tourism industry in Nigeria, especially in building and entrenching a viable policy for the industry.
She added that the event will further amplify what the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is doing to rebrand the country through a flagship initiative known as the โDestination Nigeriaโ project, anchored by her ministry.
On his part, the Special Adviser to the President on Job Creation and MSME who is the secretary of the organising committee, Mr Temitola Adekunle-Johnson, said all is set for the event that will feature high level paper presentations, technical panel discussions and fireside chats, tech and innovation showcase, product exhibitions and networking opportunities for businesses across the continent.
Mr Adekunle-Johnson added that a key feature of the event is the MSME awards featuring presentation of cash prizes, houses and stores to deserving small business owners across the country.
He said the approval of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the hosting of the event is in recognition of the vital role that MSMEs play in driving economic growth, job creation, and poverty reduction, which aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of his administration.
In separate remarks, the Chief Executives of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (SMEDAN), Mr Charles Odii; the Nigeria Export Import (NEXIM) Bank, Mr Abba Bello, and the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mrs Nonye Ayeni, all pledged the commitment and support of their organisations towards a successful hosting of the event.
The opening ceremony of the event holds on June 23 at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja, while the technical meetings and product exhibition will be held at the Abuja Continental Hotel from June 24 to 26, and the grand finale and MSME Awards will be held at the State House Banquet Hall.
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