Vice President Kashim Shettima has said that the administration of President Bola Tinubu is taking bold steps to construct digital infrastructure that will enable Nigerian Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to compete and thrive across African borders.
Shettima spoke in Abuja on Monday while inaugurating the committee for Nigeria’s hosting of the 4th African Union (AU) MSME Forum, scheduled to take place from 23rd to 27th June.
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He noted that the digital economy presents an unprecedented opportunity for African MSMEs to integrate into global value chains.
“With over 83% of employment in Africa rooted in the informal economy, the continent is not short on ideas or digital innovation,” he said.
“This forum provides the blueprint, the platform, and the partnerships that will empower African MSMEs to become the heartbeat of our economic renewal.”
Shettima highlighted key programmes under the Tinubu administration, including Nigeria’s leadership role in the AfCFTA Negotiating Forum and the alignment of national policies on investment, digital trade, and competition with AfCFTA goals.
He also cited the establishment of a Technology Export and Digital Trade Desk and initiatives like the i-DICE Programme—a $617.7 million investment in digital and creative enterprises—and the 3 Million Tech Talent Programme focused on youth training in coding, data science, and digital fluency.
Reiterating Tinubu’s commitment, the Vice President assured that Nigeria is harmonising its laws to make cross-border digital trade seamless, secure and scalable.
“We have reformed, we have invested, and we are resolved to see this transformation through. But none of us can achieve this in isolation,” he added.
The Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), Ibrahim Hadejia, who chairs the organising committee, said the upcoming forum would foster collaboration and knowledge exchange among African nations.
He added that the summit’s theme—“Building Resilient MSMEs Through Digital Innovation, Market Access and Affordable Financing for Africa”, reflects the Tinubu administration’s ongoing support for MSME growth.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said Nigeria’s selection to host the forum signalled rising confidence in the country within the international community.
Minister of State for Industry, John Enoh, also praised the President and Vice President for prioritising MSME development, given the sector’s contribution to GDP and economic transformation.
Special Adviser to the President on Job Creation and MSMEs, Temitola Adekunle-Johnson, who serves as committee secretary, assured that the forum would be a world-class event showcasing Nigeria’s efforts in job creation and enterprise support.
Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, noted that Lagos, home to nearly 70% of Nigeria’s MSMEs, has launched a N10 billion MSME Access to Finance Scheme in partnership with the Bank of Industry (LASMECO) to boost access to funds.
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States including Benue, Imo, Enugu, Katsina and Ekiti are also playing key roles through sub-committees.
Committee members include the Managing Director of the Bank of Industry, Olasupo Olusi; Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji; and the Director-General of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Charles Odii, who all pledged support for the forum, emphasising its potential to boost Nigeria’s economic landscape.
Other committee members are Jumoke Oduwole (Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment); Bosun Tijani (Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy); Hannatu Musawa (Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy); Nonye Ayeni (Executive Director, NEPC); Aisha Rimi (Executive Secretary, NIPC); Abba Bello (CEO, NEXIM Bank); and Dele Oye (President, NACCIMA).
