The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) says it plans to create 100 new millionaire entrepreneurs through capacity-building programmes, financial grants and business support initiatives at the GROW Nigerian Conference 2026.
The conference will hold from November 8 to 10 at the Ecobank Pan African Centre (EPAC) in Victoria Island, Lagos, under the theme, “GROW Nigerian: The Next Frontier for Innovation, Policy and Market Access.”
According to SMEDAN, the annual gathering brings together entrepreneurs, policymakers, investors and development partners to connect small businesses with skills, finance and market opportunities needed for growth.
A key feature of the conference is a combination of intensive masterclasses and funding opportunities aimed at helping entrepreneurs start, improve or expand their businesses. Selected participants in the training sessions will receive financial grants, while additional funding will be available through the Zero to 100 Pitch Competition.
The competition carries a prize pool of ₦100 million, with winners expected to receive funding at the Lagos conference and a second event scheduled for northern Nigeria. The final pitch session and prize presentation are scheduled for November 10.
SMEDAN Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, Charles Odii, said the initiative was designed to address challenges that prevent entrepreneurial talent from developing into sustainable businesses.
He said access to capital, business management skills and market knowledge remain critical factors for enterprise growth, adding that the agency wants participants to leave the conference with practical skills, financial support and business connections.
The event will also feature the Nigeria First Fair, a three-day marketplace where members of the public can purchase products directly from Nigerian small businesses and interact with entrepreneurs.
SMEDAN said the fair is intended to boost sales for local enterprises ahead of the Christmas season while creating opportunities for corporate buyers, retailers and organisations seeking suppliers and gift vendors.
Oando Group Chief Executive, Wale Tinubu, is expected to deliver the keynote address, sharing insights on building and expanding Nigerian businesses.
The conference will feature masterclasses led by Chude Jideonwo, Funke Bucknor-Obruthe, Teniola Chigbata, popularly known as TennyCoco, Nelly Agbogu and Anita Natacha Akide, also known as Symply Tacha. Sessions will focus on event management, beauty and makeup entrepreneurship, business development and the use of artificial intelligence in marketing.
Award-winning filmmaker Tola Odunsi will screen his latest film, 19, and conduct live auditions for a film production commissioned by SMEDAN.
Other expected participants include the heads of the Bank of Industry, Development Bank of Nigeria, NEXIM Bank, NAFDAC, Corporate Affairs Commission and Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund.
SMEDAN said a business clinic would operate throughout the conference, enabling entrepreneurs to receive guidance on registration, regulatory compliance and other operational issues from relevant agencies.
A dedicated NAFDAC Summit scheduled for November 9 will bring together business owners, SME associations and regulators to discuss registration requirements, challenges and available solutions. NAFDAC is also expected to conduct a live demonstration of its NAPAMS platform.
The conference opens on November 8 with the Nigeria First Fair and a Fashion and Food Showcase, while the formal opening ceremony is scheduled for November 9.
The event is being organised in partnership with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) through its Sustainable Economic Development Cluster programme, with support from the German Government, Denmark, Switzerland and the European Union.
Other partners include MTN, the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the Lagos State Government and Ecobank.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is expected to attend the conference.
