SMEDAN expands Nigerian enterprise support through new partnerships

The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) is expanding its reach through new strategic partnerships aimed at strengthening the nation's entrepreneurship ecosystem.

SMEDAN has signed a formal agreement with the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) to deliver MSME development programs across 774 Local Government Areas. This partnership focuses on grassroots implementation, specifically through the ‘One Local Government One Product’ (OLOP) initiative, to connect community-based entrepreneurs with financing, training, and market opportunities.

Additionally, SMEDAN is collaborating with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) to establish the Abuja Centre for Entrepreneurship (ACE). This digital program is designed to drive innovation, skills acquisition, and digital transformation, specifically targeting young people and small businesses to help the ecosystem adapt to the Fourth Industrial Revolution.