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ABUJA, Nigeria - President Bola Tinubu has given the green light for the formation of an oversight committee tasked with organizing Nigeria's hosting of the 4th African Union Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Forum, which is set to take place in Abuja from June 23 to June 27.
This Forum, a key initiative of the African Union Commission, was launched in 2022 to enhance the MSME ecosystem throughout the continent and boost regional trade and integration within value chains.
The theme for the 2025 edition of the Forum will be “Building Resilient MSMEs through Digital Innovation, Market Access & Affordable Financing for Africa.”
A statement released on Wednesday by Temitola Adekunle-Johnson, Special Adviser to the President on Job Creation & Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises, indicated that Nigeria is poised to take a prominent role in continental economic dialogues and pave the way for progress in MSMEs across Africa.
The establishment of the oversight committee highlights Nigeria's dedication to fostering entrepreneurship and supporting small enterprises as vital components for inclusive economic growth and sustainable development.
The special adviser noted that the committee is responsible for ensuring thorough planning and seamless execution of the Forum, which is anticipated to include paper presentations, high-level panel discussions, exhibitions, networking opportunities, sponsored side events, MSME pitching competitions, and awards for outstanding Nigerian entrepreneurs.
Senator Ibrahim Hadejia, who is the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), will lead the committee. Its members represent significant sectors of the economy, including prominent officials and industry leaders.
The committee includes Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole; Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani; Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism & the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa; and the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, John Enoh.
Additional committee members are the Executive Director of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Nonye Ayeni; Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, Aisha Rimi; Managing Director of the Bank of Industry, Olasupo Olusi; Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji; MD/CEO of NEXIM Bank, Abba Bello; Director-General of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria, Charles Odii; President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Dele Kelvin Oye, Esq; and Deputy Director of the African Union Division in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Anthony N. Alonwu.
The Special Adviser on Job Creation and MSMEs has been appointed as the Host Country Coordinator and will act as the secretary for the committee.
As Nigeria prepares to host the AU MSME Forum, it follows in the footsteps of Egypt, Ethiopia, and Namibia, which successfully hosted the first three editions of this initiative.
The 2025 Forum is anticipated to draw entrepreneurs, policymakers, investors, and development partners from all over the continent and beyond, solidifying Nigeria's position as a regional leader in enterprise development and innovation.
This event coincides with the Tinubu administration's ongoing focus on economic diversification, digital transformation, and enhancing access to financing, particularly for small businesses, as essential elements of its Renewed Hope Agenda.
