The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) has launched a dedicated unit aimed at supporting women and youth entrepreneurship, addressing challenges faced by these groups in the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector.
The inauguration took place at SMEDAN’s headquarters, where the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Uju Kenedy-Ohaneye, pledged full support from her ministry and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to eliminate barriers hindering SMEs in the country.
The Director General of SMEDAN, Mr. Charles Odii, highlighted the initiative’s goal to identify and address obstacles faced by women in the MSME sector. He emphasised that the newly established unit would provide mentorship for women and youth entrepreneurs, with a dedicated percentage of SMEDAN’s intervention programmes earmarked for these crucial groups.
In a press statement by Moshood Lawal, the agency’s Head of Corporate Affairs, it was emphasised that women constitute a significant portion of MSME operators in Nigeria, facing various obstacles hindering their progress.
The Minister commended the Director General for commendable initiatives and expressed satisfaction with the opportunities provided for women and youth in Nigeria. The collaboration aims to promote women-owned businesses through policy development, advocacy, and the promotion of the “Buy Nigeria” initiative.