The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria is set to stage the 2025 National MSME GROW Nigerian Conference, a three day national convergence designed to advance innovation, enterprise growth and policy reform across Nigeria's small business landscape.
The event will take place from November 16 to 18 in Lagos, beginning with an opening showcase on November 16 and continuing with the main sessions at the Federal Palace Hotel on November 17 and 18.
This year's edition features some of the most influential voices in governance, business, finance, technology and the creative economy. His Excellency Vice President Kashim Shettima and Reps Speaker Dr. Tajudeen Abbas will lead the opening, while Mr Tony Elumelu, CON, will deliver the keynote address.
The Governor of Lagos State, His Excellency Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu will also host a stakeholder meeting during the conference, and special recognition will be given to governors who have demonstrated strong support for MSME growth in their states.
The opening day will feature Food and Fashion Only, a curated showcase of top food and fashion brands presented to an audience of investors, industry leaders and invited guests. This event sets the tone for a conference that blends enterprise development with market exposure and high level engagement.
Across November 17 and 18, the conference programme will include policy dialogues that will directly support the review of the National MSME Policy, which expires this year, and guide the development of a new five year policy framework. The sessions will gather federal and state officials, private sector leaders, financiers, development partners and MSME associations.
A dedicated session on the new national tax laws and their implications for small businesses will be led by the Chairman, Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Mr Taiwo Oyedele. There will also be a major export session delivered by Mrs Nonye Ayeni, Executive Director of NEPC.
The Women Summit will take place on November 18, led by the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs. This gathering will focus on expanding opportunities for women owned businesses and strengthening linkages with funders and national programmes.
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The masterclass series will feature leading voices across creative, technical and business domains. Presenters include Folagade Banks, Freedom Atsepoyi also known as Mr Jollof, and expert trainers drawn from SMEDAN's enterprise network. A specialised masterclass on intellectual property will be delivered by Tobi Moody, Country Director of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in Nigeria.
The highly anticipated session on competing and thriving in the digital era will feature Tosin Eniolorunda, Co Founder of Moniepoint, Idris Olorunimbe, Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, and Ife Durosinmi Etti, CEO of Herconomy. The panel will examine digital competitiveness, financial technology and new opportunities for MSMEs in a fast changing market.
Throughout the event, the GROW Nigerian Fair will run as a large-scale exhibition showcasing some of Nigeria's most promising SMEs across food, fashion, manufacturing, technology, entertainment and other sectors. A pitch competition will also take place, with winners receiving 20 million naira in grants.
Other distinguished attendees include the Honourable Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, the Honourable Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Owan Enoh.
Speaking ahead of the conference, the Director-General/CEO of SMEDAN, Dr Charles Odii, said the 2025 theme, GROW Nigerian, Building a Future of Innovation, Resilience and Prosperity, reflects the agency's commitment to practical action.
He said: "At this conference, we're building on the work we've already begun to expand access to opportunities for Nigerian entrepreneurs, including finance, markets, skills, and visibility.
It will be a festival of ideas, innovation, and enterprise, bringing together government, the private sector, international development partners, and small businesses to collaborate for impact. Beyond conversations, participants will also have access to grants and other tangible opportunities to help them grow."
The conference is being delivered with the support of the German Government, the EU and the Swiss Government, through Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). Other partners include Moniepoint, United Bank for Africa, Bank of Industry, NEXIM Bank, Wema Bank, Fidelity Bank, MTN and the Enterprise Development Center of the Pan Atlantic University.
Registration is free at www.smedan.gov.ng/msmeconference
