SMEDAN Moves to Power Jobs, Boost MSME Revenue

The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (SMEDAN) has unveiled a transformative strategy aimed at propelling Nigeria’s Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) into a new era of growth. The strategy, called “GROW Nigerian,” is designed to create more job opportunities and significantly enhance the revenue generation capacity of the MSME sector.

During an interaction with members of the Commerce and Industry Correspondents Association of Nigeria on Tuesday in Abuja, SMEDAN’s Director-General, Mr. Charles Odii, outlined the agency’s aggressive plans to boost the sector. Odii highlighted that SMEDAN has already made impressive strides in its mission to support MSMEs. According to the agency’s first-quarter report for 2025, over 90,000 jobs were created for unemployed youths, and more than 116,000 entrepreneurs have benefited from SMEDAN’s programs.

The GROW Nigerian strategy is built on four key pillars: Guidance, Resources, Opportunities, and Workforce Support. This framework aims to address the fundamental challenges faced by MSMEs and propel them toward long-term success and sustainability. Odii emphasized that these efforts are crucial for fostering productivity and increasing the contribution of MSMEs to Nigeria’s economic development.


SMEDAN’s ambitious roadmap will prioritize eight critical sectors of the Nigerian economy. These sectors include agriculture, fashion and textiles, tourism and hospitality, manufacturing and production, education, the digital economy, innovation, and technology adoption. By concentrating on these areas, SMEDAN hopes to drive inclusive economic growth and create more wealth within the country.

Through the GROW strategy, SMEDAN is committed to offering a suite of tools and resources that will empower MSMEs to thrive. This includes providing expert guidance, mentorship, and strategic direction to business owners, as well as access to capital, technology, and infrastructure. These efforts are set to improve operational efficiency, productivity, and market access, all of which are key to scaling small businesses.


SMEDAN’s proactive approach is grounded in its understanding of the challenges facing MSMEs in Nigeria. Chief among these are access to capital, high operational costs, and regulatory hurdles such as multiple taxation and bureaucratic bottlenecks. Additionally, many MSMEs struggle with a lack of skilled labor, inadequate infrastructure, and limited access to technology and innovation.

Odii explained that the GROW Nigerian strategy would address these challenges by empowering MSMEs with the necessary resources to overcome obstacles. He emphasized that the agency, in collaboration with key partners, would provide businesses with the knowledge, capital, and support networks they need to flourish.


A central component of SMEDAN’s strategy is its focus on training and skill development. According to Odii, the agency will offer targeted programs aimed at enhancing the capabilities of entrepreneurs and their teams. These programs will equip them with the necessary tools to innovate, increase productivity, and remain competitive in the global market.

“By providing our entrepreneurs with the right combination of guidance, resources, opportunities, and workforce support, we can accelerate their growth and help them build sustainable businesses,” Odii stated.


SMEDAN is confident that the GROW Nigerian strategy will address the long-standing challenges of Nigeria’s MSME sector and create a more vibrant, competitive business environment. Odii remains optimistic that with the right support, MSMEs will be able to contribute significantly to job creation, revenue generation, and overall economic stability.

The agency’s commitment to these goals underscores the importance of the MSME sector in Nigeria’s future. Through strategic interventions, SMEDAN is laying the groundwork for an ecosystem where small businesses can thrive and become key drivers of economic progress.

In conclusion, the GROW Nigerian strategy is a step in the right direction for the MSME sector. By focusing on capacity building, access to resources, and overcoming key challenges, SMEDAN is setting the stage for a new wave of innovation and prosperity within Nigeria’s entrepreneurial community.