The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) recently announced its intention to collaborate with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) to enhance trade, encourage local production and facilitate cross-border trade. The strategic decision was taken during a meeting between the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, and the Director-General of SMEDAN, Mr. Charles Oidi, at the NCS headquarters in Abuja.
Adeniyi highlighted the importance of SMEs in Nigeria’s economy and confirmed the establishment of a dedicated SMEDAN team within the NCS offices. The team will provide specialized assistance and facilitate processes for small businesses involved in cross-border trade.
“The SME population cannot be ignored. Everything we do for them contributes to strengthening the nation’s economy,” Adeniyi said.
Nigeria relies heavily on SMEs to provide employment and boost the informal economy. According to the SMEDAN national survey, there are 41 million micro-enterprises and 73,000 small and medium enterprises in the country. However, these businesses face challenges in their development.
In response, Oidi stressed the importance of supporting SMEs in Nigeria and commended the NCS for its commitment to SME development. He pledged to facilitate productive interactions between government agencies and the SME ecosystem.
“SMEDAN is committed to identifying challenges, designing inclusive solutions and implementing effective strategies to foster the growth of SMEs in Nigeria,” Oidi said.
He also promised to strengthen the agency’s capacity to increase the sector’s contribution to the Nigerian economy.
This partnership between NCS and SMEDAN represents a significant opportunity to promote SME development in Nigeria and strengthen the national economy. By working together, they can create an enabling environment for small businesses and foster sustainable economic growth. Such collaboration is essential to address the challenges faced by SMEs and to fully exploit their potential for growth and innovation.