By Mokobia Rita.
ABUJA/Nigeria: The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) and the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) are working to strengthen institutional support for young entrepreneurs by improving access to investment, mentorship and business development opportunities.
The Director-General of SMEDAN, Mr Charles Odii, hosted the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of NIPC, Mrs Aisha Rimi, at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja during an engagement focused on expanding cooperation between the two institutions.
The meeting examined ways both agencies could work together to attract more investment to emerging businesses while strengthening the support structures required to help young enterprises move beyond the early stages of development.
A major area of discussion was the expansion of mentorship and business development initiatives, with emphasis on providing entrepreneurs with the knowledge, networks and institutional support needed to build sustainable businesses.
The officials also reviewed preparations for the proposed SMEDAN-NIPC Summit, which is expected to provide a platform for stakeholders in Nigeria’s investment and enterprise ecosystem to explore opportunities for stronger business linkages and investment.
The collaboration is expected to bring together the complementary roles of SMEDAN in supporting micro, small and medium enterprises and NIPC’s mandate of promoting investment in Nigeria.
The two agencies also stressed the importance of creating an environment in which innovative ideas can be converted into viable enterprises capable of generating employment, attracting investment and contributing to economic development.
The engagement further reaffirmed the commitment of SMEDAN and NIPC to sustained collaboration in strengthening Nigeria’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and creating more opportunities for businesses, particularly those led by young Nigerians.
