Nigeria is set to host the 4th African Union (AU) MSME Forum in Abuja from Monday, June 23 to Friday, June 27, 2025, as stakeholders across Africa gather to address critical challenges facing small businesses, particularly access to affordable financing, digital transformation, and market expansion.
The high-level forum, organised by the African Union Commission, will bring together delegates from over 50 African nations to explore ways of strengthening intra-African trade and enhancing the contribution of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to the continent’s economic growth.
Speaking at a press briefing in the State House, Abuja, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, said the forum aims to foster strategic partnerships that will empower MSMEs and deepen value chains across Africa.
“The principal objective is to empower MSMEs, develop intra-African value chains, and strengthen policies for sustainable development,” he said, urging Nigerian stakeholders to seize the opportunity to build investment networks and market linkages.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, described the event as a major step in opening Nigeria’s economy to the world.
He said President Bola Tinubu’s approval to host the forum underscores his administration’s commitment to positioning Nigeria as a hub for investment and business.
“This is one of the first platforms to show the world that Nigeria is rising again and open for business,” Idris stated, while calling on the media to support the success of the event.
In her remarks, the Minister of Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musawa, expressed confidence that the forum would have a positive impact on Nigeria’s cultural and tourism sectors.
She said the event aligns with the government’s “Destination Nigeria” campaign, which aims to rebrand the country through cultural and creative initiatives.
Special Adviser to the President on Job Creation and MSMEs and Secretary of the Organising Committee, Temitola Adekunle-Johnson, assured that all was set for a robust forum featuring keynote presentations, panel discussions, tech showcases, exhibitions, and networking opportunities for businesses.
He disclosed that the highlight of the forum would be the MSME Awards, which will include cash prizes, as well as stores and houses for outstanding entrepreneurs.
“The President’s approval to host this event reflects his belief in the critical role MSMEs play in job creation, economic growth, and poverty reduction, key pillars of the Renewed Hope Agenda,” he noted.
Heads of key institutions, including the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Nigeria Export-Import Bank (NEXIM), and the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), have pledged their full support to ensure the event’s success.
The opening ceremony will be held on June 23 at the State House Banquet Hall, while technical sessions and exhibitions are scheduled to take place at the Abuja Continental Hotel from June 24 to 26.
The forum will conclude with the MSME Awards and grand finale back at the State House Banquet Hall.
