Nigeria to host 4th African Union MSME Forum, boosting small business growth across Africa
Abdullateef Fowewe
From June 23 to 27, 2025, over 50 African countries will converge in Nigeria’s capital for the 4th African Union (AU) Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Forum, focusing on affordable financing, digital transformation, and expanding market access for small businesses continent-wide, Dailyeconomy reports.
Nigeria will host the rest of Africa on the platform of the African Union Commission for the 4th African Union (AU) MSME Forum to exchange ideas on how to improve intra- and inter-African trade and support the growth of small businesses on the continent.
This was revealed in a statement obtained on Friday from the Senior Special Assistant to The President on Media & Communications (Office of The Vice President), Stanley Nkwocha.
Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, who spoke on Friday at a press conference in the Presidential Villa, Abuja, noted that the goal is to empower small businesses by strengthening policies on MSME development.
“The principal objective is to empower Micro, Small, and Medium-Sized Enterprises, develop intra-African value chains, and strengthen policies on MSME development through fostering strategic partnerships that will eventually empower MSMEs to thrive on the continent,” he said.
He urged Nigerian stakeholders to leverage this platform to build new investment networks and market linkages across Africa and beyond.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, highlighted the event’s significance for Nigeria’s global economic positioning, noting, “While Nigeria is rising again and the world is paying attention, the approval for the hosting of the event by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is one way of showcasing to the world that Nigeria is ready to do business. It is one of the first pedestals of opening up our economy to the rest of the world.”
Barrister Hannatu Musawa, Minister of Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, expressed optimism about the forum’s impact on Nigeria’s cultural and tourism sectors, linking it to the administration’s “Destination Nigeria” rebranding initiative.
The forum will feature high-level presentations, panel discussions, innovation showcases, product exhibitions, and networking opportunities, culminating in MSME awards with cash prizes, houses, and stores for deserving entrepreneurs. This event aligns with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, recognising MSMEs as vital drivers of economic growth, job creation, and poverty reduction.
The opening ceremony will take place at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja, with subsequent sessions at the Abuja Continental Hotel, underscoring Nigeria’s role as a continental hub for trade and enterprise development.
