business

NASME Calls for Greater Government Support Amid Rising Inflation Pressure on SMEs

Published

1 month ago

June 25, 2025

NASME Calls for Urgent Government Action as Inflation Threatens Survival of Nigerian SMEs

The Nigeria Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME) has called on both federal and state governments to intensify support for small businesses grappling with inflation, rising production costs, and weakened consumer demand—pressures that are pushing many enterprises to the brink.

During a general meeting held in Warri, Delta State, NASME Delta Chairperson, Lady Judith Nwachukwu, acknowledged ongoing government reforms but emphasized the urgent need for more targeted, transparent, and easily accessible interventions, especially for grassroots entrepreneurs.

“SMEs form the backbone of our economy, yet many are in crisis,” Nwachukwu stated. “With skyrocketing raw material costs and reduced consumer purchasing power, it’s becoming increasingly difficult for small businesses not just to grow, but to survive.”

She applauded the Tinubu administration’s recognition of SMEs’ importance in national development, particularly through policies like tax incentives, local content support under the ‘Nigeria First’ initiative, and efforts to expand access to finance. However, she stressed that these policies must go beyond paper promises and deliver real impact at the community level.

According to Nwachukwu, current financing structures remain too rigid and favor larger, more formal enterprises. “Intervention funds must be truly inclusive,” she said. “The eligibility criteria often replicate commercial banking standards, which exclude most informal and micro-scale entrepreneurs.”

She also cited economic policy shifts—such as fuel subsidy removal, exchange rate unification, and persistent insecurity in agricultural zones—as factors compounding inflationary pressures on small businesses. These challenges, she warned, are eroding the sector’s already limited capacity to absorb shocks.

To reverse the decline, NASME is calling for stronger collaboration between government and private sector actors to ensure SMEs play a central role in the Renewed Hope Agenda. “Our members are eager to contribute, create jobs, and grow the economy,” Nwachukwu added, “but they need practical, grassroots-oriented support.”

NASME commended the Delta State Government’s approval of a ₦1 billion revolving loan fund for MSMEs—administered by the Bank of Industry (BoI) at single-digit interest rates—as a step in the right direction. Nwachukwu emphasized that timely and transparent disbursement will be key to the initiative’s success.

She also thanked BoI for recently approving loans for several NASME Delta members and encouraged the bank to maintain swift disbursement processes.

A key moment during the meeting was the unveiling of the NASME Delta Multipurpose Cooperative Society, designed to enhance financial resilience among members. The cooperative will be led by NASME’s Public Relations Officer, Sir Hilary Ikem.

As economic headwinds persist, NASME’s message is clear: Nigeria’s path to economic recovery must begin with inclusive, actionable support for its small businesses—not just reforms, but real empowerment from the ground up.

business

NEXIM Bank and SMEDAN Partner to Strengthen SME Export Capacity Nationwide

Published

2 days ago

July 25, 2025

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NEXIM Bank and SMEDAN Sign Landmark MoU to Boost SME Export Growth in Nigeria

In a bold move to strengthen Nigeria’s small business ecosystem, the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM) and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) have signed a groundbreaking Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at accelerating the growth and global competitiveness of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) across the country.

A Strategic Partnership for Economic Transformation

This MoU formalizes a strategic alliance between NEXIM and SMEDAN, focusing on:

Export financing and access to global markets
Tailored financial products for SMEs
Capacity-building and training programs
Promotion of Made-in-Nigeria products internationally

The collaboration is expected to streamline trade facilitation and offer Nigerian SMEs the tools and support needed to thrive in international value chains.

Empowering SMEs for Global Competitiveness

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Abba Bello, Managing Director/CEO of NEXIM Bank, emphasized the significance of this partnership in preparing Nigerian SMEs to compete globally, particularly under the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).

“This collaboration with SMEDAN is a critical step in our mission to empower Nigerian SMEs. By combining our financial instruments with SMEDAN’s development expertise, we are creating a robust support framework that enables small businesses to scale and succeed in export markets,” Bello said.

Removing Barriers and Unlocking Opportunities

On his part, Charles Odii, Director-General of SMEDAN, noted that the agreement will help eliminate major hurdles that have long hindered SMEs from tapping into international markets.

“Our goal is to ensure Nigerian SMEs have not just the skills but also the financial backing to grow. This MoU with NEXIM Bank paves the way for real participation in global trade,” Odii remarked.

He also outlined key focus areas of the collaboration:

Providing export-oriented financing solutions
Offering expert training and advisory services
Simplifying export processes for MSMEs

🇳🇬 Aligning with Nigeria’s Economic Diversification Agenda

This partnership supports the federal government’s broader vision of economic diversification and inclusive growth, particularly through public-private partnerships that empower micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).

About the Agencies

NEXIM Bank, established under Act 38 of 1991, is Nigeria’s official Export Credit Agency, providing financing, risk management, and advisory services to support the development of non-oil exports.

SMEDAN, created by the SMIDA Act of 2003, is the federal government’s leading institution tasked with fostering the growth, sustainability, and global competitiveness of MSMEs across Nigeria.

business

SEC Director-General to Headline Comercio Partners’ Forum on Global Trade and Innovation Trends

Published

4 days ago

July 23, 2025

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SEC DG to Deliver Keynote at Comercio Partners’ 2025 Half-Year Economic Review in Lagos

The Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Dr. Emomotimi Agama, is scheduled to deliver the keynote address at the Comercio Partners’ 2025 Half-Year Economic Review and Outlook, taking place on Wednesday, July 23, in Lagos.

This year’s event, themed “Reconfiguration: From Global Trade to Quantum Innovation, a New Economic Era Emerges,” will spotlight the evolving intersections of global trade, technological transformation, and macroeconomic policy. The forum is poised to examine how these dynamics are shaping Nigeria’s investment climate and policy direction.

According to Comercio Partners, the event will feature two high-level panel discussions in addition to the formal presentation of its signature report: Review of the Economy in H1 2025 and Outlook for H2 2025.

Expert-Led Panel Sessions

The first panel, titled “Nigeria’s Economic Frontlines,” will bring together a diverse mix of influential voices from academia, the creative sector, and economic policy circles. Confirmed speakers include:

Professor Philip Alege, President, Nigerian Association of Macroeconomic Modellers
Femi Adebayo, award-winning filmmaker and CEO of J-15 Media Network
Dr. Muda Yusuf, Director, Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE)

The second panel, focused on the “Global Macroeconomic Environment,” will feature insights from senior economists and industry leaders:

Professor Joseph Nnanna, Chief Economist, Development Bank of Nigeria Plc
Dr. Faith Iyoha, Economist, Nigerian Economic Summit Group
Tosin Osunkoya, CEO, Comercio Partners Asset Management
Zeal Akaraiwe, CEO, Graeme Blaque

A Platform for Strategic Dialogue

The half-year review is expected to offer timely and actionable insights into Nigeria’s economic trajectory amid ongoing domestic reforms and global uncertainty. Attendees will include participants from financial institutions, academia, the private sector, and the creative industry—underscoring the multidisciplinary nature of the economic conversation.

As Nigeria navigates an increasingly complex global environment, the 2025 Comercio Partners forum aims to position stakeholders for informed decision-making and adaptive strategies in a rapidly evolving world.

business

Schneider Electric Unveils Zeigo Hub to Accelerate Supply Chain Decarbonization

Published

5 days ago

July 22, 2025

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Schneider Electric Launches Zeigo Hub to Accelerate Supply Chain Decarbonization

Schneider Electric has launched Zeigo Hub, an advanced digital platform designed to help organizations decarbonize their supply chains and achieve Scope 3 emissions targets. This innovative solution marks a significant leap in global sustainability efforts, empowering companies to make meaningful progress toward net-zero goals.

At the launch, Laura Eve, Vice President of SaaS Sustainability Solutions at Schneider Electric, underscored the urgency of supply chain transformation.

“A decarbonised supply chain is no longer a ‘nice to have’—it’s a strategic imperative,” Eve stated. “With Zeigo Hub, we’re giving companies the tools and insights needed to turn their supply chains into engines of sustainable resilience.”

As expectations grow from regulators, customers, and investors for more transparent emissions data, Zeigo Hub provides a modular, action-oriented framework. It enables companies to:

Track emissions in real-time across multi-tier supply networks
Collaborate directly with suppliers
Access tailored learning modules and decarbonization toolkits

Inclusive, Scalable, and Supplier-Centric

A key feature of Zeigo Hub is its inclusive design, which supports suppliers of all sizes, regardless of their digital capabilities or experience with sustainability. The platform offers:

Seamless onboarding
Educational resources
User-friendly tools to calculate and manage emissions

To eliminate cost barriers, sponsoring organizations cover participation fees, allowing for broad supplier engagement.

Data-Driven Transparency and Compliance

Deep insights into emissions patterns
Supplier engagement metrics
Progress tracking aligned with science-based targets

The platform supports compliance with global sustainability frameworks including CDP, CSRD, and TCFD, ensuring companies stay aligned with evolving disclosure standards.

AI-Native Ecosystem for Smarter Decarbonization

Zeigo Hub is the first platform to integrate Schneider Electric’s AI-native ecosystem, leveraging advanced agentic AI to:

Automate data input through web tools
Personalize supplier onboarding
Support sponsors in managing their programs more efficiently

This next-gen AI functionality enhances accuracy, impact, and operational performance across the board.

Building on Proven Experience

Zeigo Hub builds upon Schneider Electric’s established leadership in sustainability through initiatives like:

The Zero Carbon Project
Industry partnerships including Energize, Catalyze, and Materialize

These programs have engaged over 2,700 suppliers across 40+ global brands, setting a strong foundation for the expanded capabilities offered by Zeigo Hub.

“Zeigo Hub represents the next phase of our collective action strategy,” Eve added. “It empowers every supplier and organization to transform sustainability ambition into measurable progress and long-term resilience.”

Zeigo Hub is now available to companies worldwide.
To learn more or begin your supply chain decarbonization journey, visit zeigo.com/zeigo-hub.