4th MSME Forum 2025 & 7th National MSME Awards Night
The significant event was held at the State House Banquet Hall in Abuja from June 23rd to 27th,2025 brought together delegates from over 50 African countries to address key challenges affecting small businesses, such as affordable financing, digital transformation, and market access.
Technical Sessions and Exhibitions: technical meetings, panel discussions, and product exhibitions took place at the Abuja Continental Hotel from June 24th to 26th. The sessions provided a platform for sharing knowledge, showcasing innovations, and exploring new business opportunities. The forum provided an avenue to forge Strategic Partnerships to empower MSMEs, develop intra-African value chains, and strengthen policies on MSME development.
The weeklong forum concluded with the hosting of the glamorous yearly National MSME Awards Night organized to honor and recognize outstanding MSMEs in Nigeria. The awards celebrated the achievements of small business owners and highlighted the diverse and impactful contributions of MSMEs to Nigeria’s economy and the role they play in driving innovation and development.
Presentations of cash prizes, houses, and various consolation prizes were doled out to deserving recipients. The 4th MSME Forum 2025 was indeed an epoch and landmark event which brought to the fore, the critical role of MSMEs in driving economic growth and development in Nigeria and across Africa.
In attendance at the events were the following esteemed guests, industry experts and distinguished personalities; His Excellency the Vice President of Nigeria, Sen.Kasshim Ibrahim, Sen. Ibrahim Hadejia, Deputy Chief of Staff to the Vice President and Chair of Nigeria’s MSME oversight Committee, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Min. of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Bosun Tijani, Min. of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, and Hon. Hannatu Musawa, Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism & the Creative Economy.
Captains of Industries present included Mr. Abba Bello, MD/CE of NEXIM Bank, Mr. Zacch Adedeji, Chairman of FIRS; Dr. Olasupo Olusi, MD of the Bank of Industry; Mrs. Aisha Rimi, Executive Secretary of NIPC; Mrs. Nonye Ayeni, Executive Director of NEPC; Mr. Charles Odii, DG of SMEDAN.