The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) has opened discussions with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to improve access to capital markets for Nigerian small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
The engagement, led by SMEDAN and the Director General of SEC, Dr. Emomotimi Agama, focused on strategies to enable SMEs tap into long-term, patient capital through structured access to alternative financing opportunities.
The talks come amid growing calls for innovative funding solutions to support the growth and competitiveness of Nigeria's small business sector.
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"Expanding access to capital markets is critical to the long-term growth and competitiveness of Nigeria's SMEs," SMEDAN stated after the meeting. "For many businesses, it represents a vital pathway to scale operations and attract long-term investment."
Both agencies emphasized the need to deepen awareness, strengthen business structuring, and build capacity to make more enterprises investment-ready.
As part of the collaboration, SMEDAN will work closely with the newly established Office of Small Business Advocacy (OSBA) at SEC to streamline SME participation in the capital market and improve financial literacy among entrepreneurs.
The initiative is expected to enhance the quality of SME financing and help reduce over-reliance on traditional bank loans, while unlocking fresh investment opportunities for the sector.
