The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) has launched a capacity-building programme in Kano State aimed at boosting the competitiveness, productivity, and green growth of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSME) clusters.
Operating under the agency’s Enterprise Cluster Development (ECD) initiative, the training is designed to provide cluster enterprises and their development associations with technical support, modern production technologies, and advanced business management skills.
Speaking at the launch event, SMEDAN’s Director General and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Charles Odii—who was represented by the Kano State Manager, Bashir Jamfalam—emphasized the economic importance of business clusters. According to Odii, enterprise clusters accelerate MSME growth by encouraging collaboration and lowering overall production costs. He noted that these joint initiatives are crucial for positioning Nigerian goods to compete globally, particularly under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
A core focus of the Kano intervention is sustainable industrial development. As part of the rollout, viable cluster enterprises will be selected for “solarization” and other clean energy interventions. The agency stated that transitioning to renewable energy will significantly reduce high operational overhead costs for local businesses while promoting environmentally friendly practices.
Aligned with the global industrial best practices championed by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the ECD programme focuses on driving inclusive economic growth, alleviating poverty, and creating jobs for women and youth.
According to SMEDAN, the initiative is also being replicated in Delta State. The agency expects the interventions to yield measurable economic outcomes, including increased business profitability, enhanced brand recognition for local clusters, and a stronger overall contribution from MSMEs to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) through industrialization and economic diversification.
