Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) have generated over 41 million related businesses and 59 million employment opportunities in Nigeria.
This was revealed by the Director-General of Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (SMEDAN), Dr Dikko Umaru-Radda, during an opening ceremony of the 2021 MSME Opportunity Fair in Kano.
Speaking at the fair themed ‘’MSMEs: Key to an Inclusive and Sustainable Post-Pandemic Recovery,” the DG outlined some of the bedeviling challenges that did not allow some new MSMEs to survive beyond their third year anniversary.
He said: “Understanding that access to market is one of such challenges; SMEDAN has over the years, assiduously worked to ensure opportunity fairs are held even when it demands the development of ICT platforms.
“The annual event is usually implemented in the North and South geo-political zones of the country to further enhance Nigeria MSMEs prominence, competitiveness and development.’’
The DG also noted that the Agency would continue to register businesses on MSMEs Mass Registration Programme Platform to enhance competitiveness among them. He noted that the fair was designed to provide opportunities for exhibition of goods and products.
READ: How to Access SMEDAN-BOA Matching Fund Loan (N1.5m to N5m) for MSME (2021)
In conclusion, Mr. Umaru-Radda said that the 2021 MSMEs survey will be conducted by the agency, in collaboration with the National Bureau of Statistics, would commence across the country this month.
On the other hand, the host Governor of the state, Gov Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State said rice production in Nigeria had improved as a result of the diversification of the economy by the Federal Government.
Ganduje said the increase in rice production had assisted in creating employment opportunities that improved the livelihood of many Nigerians. He noted that Kano was among the states with highest number of MSMEs in the country, adding that government would continue to provide infrastructure that would enable businesses to grow.
The governor said that the government was constructing a hydro power plant at Bagauda to enhance industrialization in the state.
