Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) is a Nigerian agency that works towards assisting small and medium scale enterprises to overcome poor infrastructure in the management of business operations and accessing financial services. [1] The former director general of the agency, Umar Dikko Radda, left in April 2022 to pursue a political career. He was replaced by Charles Odii. [2] [3]
On February 9, 2013, SMEDAN signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Industry of Indonesia's Directorate-General of Small and Medium Industries. The MoU is for cooperation in enterprises development between the two countries and inviting Indonesian investors to Nigeria. [4]
In October 2022, the agency organized a packaging and branding programme for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) products with the main objective of exposing them to possibilities within the African Continental Free Trade Area. [5] In April 2023, in collaboration with Niger State, SMEDAN organized a cluster empowerment programme in Minna for businesses involved in the production and marketing of shea butter.[ citation needed ] The organization has partnered with Bloc, a company that provides tools and software for financial services management targeted at the small and medium sized enterprises for internal processes and for serving their clients. [6]
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) or small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are businesses whose personnel and revenue numbers fall below certain limits. The abbreviation "SME" is used by many national agencies and international organizations such as the World Bank, the OECD, European Union, the United Nations, and the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) is the apex regulatory body for overall licensing and regulation of micro, small and medium enterprise finance companies in India. It is under the jurisdiction of Ministry of Finance, Government of India headquartered at Lucknow and having its offices all over the country.
First City Monument Bank (FCMB), a member of FCMB Group Plc, is a financial services holding company headquartered in Lagos. FCMB Group Plc has nine subsidiaries divided among three business groups: commercial and retail banking, investment banking, and asset and wealth management. As of December 2020, the group's total assets were valued at US$5 billion.
Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic is a tertiary learning institution in Ikot Osurua, Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. It was founded in 1991. The institution is accredited by the National Board for Technical Education with the mandate to provide access to education in technology and commerce. it offers both ordinary and higher national diplomas to students on graduation.
SMERA, widely known as ‘The SME Rating Agency’, is a credit rating agency in India that provides credit ratings primarily of small and medium-sized enterprises.
The Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DICCI) is an Indian association that promotes business enterprises for Dalits. It was founded in 2005 by Milind Kamble. Some of the key members of DICCI are Kalpana Saroj, Chandra Bhan Prasad and Rajesh Saraiya.
Chuku Wachuku, a royal prince of Ngwaland, is a United States educated Nigerian economist, politician, statesman, servant leader, business analyst, management expert and specialist on entrepreneurship development and SMEs: Small and Medium Enterprises. He is first Director-General of Ngwa origin at Federal Government of Nigeria major parastatal; NDE: National Directorate of Employment.
Dr. Sailendra Narain is a development finance specialist born in Nawadah, Bihar Province, India. For over 40 years, Narain has been a pioneer in developing the global SME sector. His specialities include: designing policy frameworks for SME Growth, establishing SME financing programs in banking and development financial institutions, and capacity building for SMEs with a focus on Entrepreneurship.
Funding Societies is a Southeast Asian digital financing platform for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), headquartered in Singapore. It was the first such platform in Singapore to engage an escrow agency to independently and safely manage investors’ funds. In Indonesia it is known as Modalku. Since its launch, it has disbursed more than US$2.6 billion in business financing to MSMEs through more than 5.1 million loan transactions.
Bank of Industry Limited is Nigeria's oldest and largest Development Finance Institution (DFI) currently operating. It is owned by the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) Nigeria (94.80%), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) (5.19%) and private shareholders (0.01%).
Edojobs is an initiative of the Edo State government in Nigeria under the administration of Governor Godwin Obaseki. The initiative is aimed at tackling the high rate of unemployment in Edo State through skills acquisition and empowerment programs, in collaboration with various private and public organizations in Edo State. The initiative was launched in 2016 as part of Obaseki's promise to create 200,000 new jobs for the region's youth.
Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata Jnr. also known as CFA is a Nigerian journalist and a former television presenter at Channels TV. He is into digital marketing and known as a technology entrepreneur with focus on business coaching and public speaking. He hosted the first virtual telehealth conference of Nigeria’s telemedicine company, CareClick with the theme ‘The Future Of Healthcare Today’ on 24 September 2020. He was involved in various ICT-related companies that contributed to the development of the Founder Institute. He is known as the founder of Pacer Venture and has links with Climate Action Africa. He is the MD/CEO of Anambra State ICT Agency.
The Coronavirus Alleviation Program Business Support Scheme (CAPBuSS) was launched in Ghana on 19 May 2020 by President Nana Akufo-Addo. It was formed as part of Ghana's government's intention of providing support to MSMEs who were affected by COVID-19 pandemic. It was presented by an agency under the Ministry of Trade and Industry in Ghana called NBSSI. The president announced GH¢1 billion after it was approved by the parliament of Ghana. The NBSSI ended the disbursement of funds in January 2021.
The Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA) is a Ghanaian government agency under the Ministry of Trade and Industry. The GEA is mandated by the Ghana Enterprises Agency Act, 2020 to promote and develop MSMEs in Ghana. It replaced the National Board for Small-Scale Industries (NBSSI).
Aisha Babangida is a humanitarian leader and the chairperson of the Better Life Program for the African Rural Woman. She is the first child of the Former Nigerian Military President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida. Aisha is also the founder of Tasnim Foundation, a charity organisation that provides scholarship to young girls in rural areas with the view of encouraging the girl child education.
Dikko Umar Radda is a Nigerian economist and politician. He was elected governor of Katsina State in the 2023 Nigerian gubernatorial elections. He previously served as the director-general of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN).
Dotts Media House is a media and digital marketing firm specializing in content, consulting, and strategy services. The firm is involved in creating marketing campaigns and stories for brands in Nigeria and Africa with a focus on promoting social and economic development. According to the company's reports, it was involved in over 50% of online campaigns and influencer marketing within the Nigerian digital marketing space during its initial five years of operation.
The Islamic Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (ICCIA) is an affiliate of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and represents the private sector of 57 member countries. It is headquartered in Karachi, Pakistan. ICCIA was founded in 1978 and its key objective is to promote the role of the private sector in economic activity.
The Sterling One Foundation (SOF) is a private foundation founded in 2018. It has its headquarters in Nigeria but operates across Africa. The foundation is an initiative of the Sterling Bank, though operates as an independent body with its own structure and board of trustee. In 2022, it partnered with the United Nations in Nigeria to host the 2023 Africa Social Impact Summit in Lagos, Nigeria. It has also collaborated with the Deputy British High Commissioner to Nigeria to launch the 2023 edition of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence in Nigeria.
NBC Trade Fair is an African exhibition established in 2018. The trade fair is a two to three day event with focus on African products and small and medium-sized enterprises.