Loans, Digital Access Top Agenda As Nigeria Hosts 4th AU MSME Forum

Delegates from over 50 African countries will converge on Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria, from Monday, June 23 to Friday, 27, 2025, to address challenges affecting small businesses, particularly affordable financing, enhancing digital transformation and improving market access.

According to a statement by spokesman of the vice president of Nigeria, Stanley Nkwocha, the country will host the rest of Africa on the platform of the African Union Commission for the 4th African Union (AU) MSME Forum to exchange ideas on how to improve intra- and inter-African trade and support the growth of small businesses on the continent.

Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, who disclosed this on Friday during a press conference at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, noted that the goal was to empower small businesses by strengthening policies on MSME development.

“The 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,” 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 “Destination Nigeria” 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 Continkental Hotel from June 24 to 26, and the grand finale and MSME Awards will be held at the State House Banquet Hall.