The Director-General of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) has held a strategic meeting with the Governor of Kwara State and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq. The engagement aimed to strengthen cooperation between federal and state governments in supporting micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across the country.
The meeting is part of SMEDAN’s ongoing efforts to build stronger relationships with state governments to better coordinate policies and interventions that support the growth of small businesses.
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Focus on coordination and local impact
Discussions at the meeting centred on aligning interventions, scaling programmes with impact, and creating a more supportive environment for businesses operating at the grassroots level.
“Deepening relationships with state governments is key to amplifying the impact of our work and ensuring better coordination around policies that support small businesses,” the SMEDAN Director-General said.
He explained that the meeting with Governor AbdulRazaq was “productive and forward-looking,” as both parties exchanged views on ways to grow local enterprise and unlock economic opportunities at the community level.
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Joint plans for tailored interventions
The session also addressed how SMEDAN and state governments can jointly develop initiatives that support enterprise clusters. These include improving access to finance, infrastructure, and capacity-building programmes designed to meet the needs of businesses in different regions.
“I appreciate the Governor’s insight, openness, and strong commitment to inclusive growth,” the SMEDAN boss added, noting that he is preparing to present the proposed framework for federal-state collaboration to the full Nigeria Governors’ Forum.
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MSMEs as pillars of economic resilience
The meeting is part of a broader strategy by SMEDAN to foster a coordinated and business-friendly ecosystem for Nigeria’s MSME sector. The sector plays a significant role in employment generation and contributes to national economic stability.
The agency continues to explore ways to improve the ease of doing business for entrepreneurs and to work with relevant stakeholders in delivering practical solutions that reflect the realities of small businesses across Nigeria.
