The Federal Government has inaugurated a presidential oversight committee to organize Nigeria's hosting of the 4th African Union (AU) Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Forum, scheduled for June 23-27, 2025, in Abuja.

Vice President Kashim Shettima, who performed the inauguration ceremony on Monday in Abuja, emphasized that President Bola Tinubu's administration has taken significant steps to create digital pathways that would enable Nigerian MSMEs to access markets across Africa.

"While over 83 percent of employment in Africa lies in the informal economy, the continent is not short on ideas and digital innovation that offer an unprecedented window to compete with the rest of the world," Shettima stated.

Nigeria's Digital Initiatives for MSMEs

The Vice President highlighted several key initiatives implemented by the current administration to support MSMEs, including Nigeria's leadership role in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Negotiating Forum and the alignment of investment, digital trade, and competition policies with the agreement.

"We have established a Technology Export and Digital Trade Desk to support our entrepreneurs in exporting services and digital goods across Africa," Shettima noted, adding that the i-DICE Programme, a $617.7 million investment in digital and creative enterprises, and the 3 Million Tech Talent Programme aim to train Nigerian youths in coding, data science, and digital fluency.

The Vice President conveyed President Tinubu's assurance that Nigeria is prepared to lead in shaping Africa's digital trade future, with ongoing efforts to harmonize laws to make cross-border commerce "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. That is why this forum is not just important. It is indispensable," he emphasized.

Committee Leadership and Objectives

Senator Ibrahim Hadejia, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), will chair the organizing committee. He explained that the forum will provide a platform for exchanging knowledge and ideas on MSME development while facilitating collaboration across the continent.

The theme of the summit, "Building Resilient MSMEs Through Digital Innovation, Market Access and Affordable Financing for Africa," aligns with the Tinubu administration's efforts to support growth in the sector.

Information Minister Mohammed Idris Malagi, who is also a committee member, stated that Nigeria's hosting of the forum "underscores growing confidence in Nigeria in the comity of nations" and reflects the administration's commitment to creating a conducive environment for small businesses.

Senator John Enoh, Minister of State for Industry and committee member, commended the leadership of President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima for prioritizing small businesses' growth, acknowledging their contributions to GDP and economic transformation.

Mr. Temitola Adekunle-Johnson, Special Adviser to the President on Job Creation and MSME, will serve as the committee's secretary. He assured that the team would work collaboratively to deliver a world-class event reflecting the administration's efforts.

The committee includes representatives from Lagos, Benue, Imo, Enugu, Katsina, and Ekiti States. Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade & Investment, Mrs. Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, noted that Lagos hosts nearly 70 percent of the country's MSMEs and has implemented a N10 billion fund, the Lagos State – Bank of Industry MSME Access to Finance Scheme (LASMECO), to ease access to funding.