President Bola Tinubu has approved the setup of a committee to prepare for Nigeria’s hosting of the 4th African Union Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Forum.
The event will take place from June 23 to 27, 2025, in Abuja.
This was made known on Wednesday by Stanley Nkwocha, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President).
The theme for this year’s forum is “Building Resilient MSMEs through Digital Innovation, Market Access and Affordable Financing for Africa.”
According to Nkwocha, the committee will make sure proper plans are in place for a smooth and successful forum. Activities lined up for the event include paper presentations, panel discussions, exhibitions, business pitch events, networking, and prize presentations to outstanding Nigerian entrepreneurs.
The committee will be chaired by Senator Ibrahim Hadejia, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President).
Members of the committee include:
- Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole
- Minister of Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani
- Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa
- Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Senator John Owan Enoh
- Executive Director, Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Nonye Ayeni
- Executive Secretary, Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, Aisha Rimi
- Managing Director, Bank of Industry, Dr. Olasupo Olusi
- Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji
- MD/CEO, NEXIM Bank, Abba Bello
- DG, SMEDAN, Charles Odii
- President, NACCIMA, Dele Kelvin Oye
- Deputy Director (African Union Division), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Anthony Alonwu
Temitola Adekunle-Johnson, the Special Adviser to the President on Job Creation and MSMEs, will act as the host country coordinator and secretary of the committee.
The AU MSME Forum was introduced in 2022 by the African Union Commission to promote small and medium-sized businesses, encourage trade among African countries, and support the development of value chains within the continent.
So far, Egypt, Ethiopia, and Namibia have hosted the forum. Nigeria will now join as the fourth host country.
