Nigeria is bolstering its small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) sector by licensing over 150 Business Development Service Providers (BDSPs). This move by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) aims to professionalize the business support ecosystem and drive growth within the country’s vital SME sector.
“This award of licenses is crucial for the continued growth of MSMEs in Nigeria,” stated Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Marriam Katagum, speaking in Lagos. She urged the newly certified BDSPs to leverage this opportunity to address the challenges facing Nigerian SMEs.
Representing the Minister, Director of Industrial Development, Mr. Adewale Bakare, affirmed the ministry’s commitment to supporting entrepreneurs across Nigeria, with the goal of fostering job creation, wealth generation, and poverty reduction.
SMEDAN’s Director General and CEO, Olawale Fasanya, emphasized the agency’s commitment to establishing a professional platform within the BDS ecosystem, aligning with its mandate to support and develop SMEs in Nigeria. This initiative signals Nigeria’s dedication to fostering a thriving SME landscape, recognized globally as a key driver of economic development.
