GIZ- SEDIN: German Government Is Supporting The Nigerian Government in Efforts To Improve The Employment And Income Of MSMEs- Wauschkuhn

Olabode Adaramola

The Programme Director of GIZ- SEDIN, Markus Wauschkuhn, has said  that the German Government is supporting the Nigerian government in efforts to improve the employment and income of micro, small, and medium sized enterprises (MSMEs) which were active in agricultural and non-agricultural value chains.

He stated this in his welcome address at the MSME Stakeholders Dialogue Market Place & Exhibition Event with the Theme: Leveraging Local Marketing For Continental Reach, which was being implemented by held over the weekend in Minna Niger State capital, implemented by the German International Cooperation GIZ and implemented by GOPA consulting.

Markus stated further that  the overall context was provided by the programme “Pro-poor Growth and Promotion of Employment in Nigeria” (SEDIN) which was  commissioned to address the high ( un-)and underemployment in Nigeria by improving the employment and income of micro,small and medium-sized enterprises MSMEs) which were active in the private sector ,supporting Agricultural and non- Agricultural value chains by proving the business enabling environment, increasing access to financial and business services ,  enhancing enterprenuerial and management skills ,and strengthening MSMEEs in selected value chains( VCs).

Speaking further, he said “The Programme gives special attention to women, youth,and people with migration background ( IDPs, migrants and returnees) and is operating with a regional focus in Ogun, Niger, Plateau,Edo, and Lagos States”.

He pointed out  that the Programme supports MSMEs by strengthening the capacity of implementation partners and service providers as well as representatives of associations adding that state organizations were strengthened in their role  as advisers amiltipliers of training and coaches efforts.

“At the social level, ,SEDIN facilitates cooperation between public and private sector actors to initiate policy reforms and support developing a business enabling environment.

“The Programme includes gender- sensitive measures that take account of the needs and interests of women”, he declared.

Also, in his seperate  remarks at the event, the Director General, Small, Medium Enterprises Development Agency (SMEDAN) Mr. Wale Fasanya stated that Niger state  can depend on revenues being generated from Shea butter alone and generate 39 million jobs if it’s fully developed.

Fasanya, represented by Oseni Lawani, said, “if the Shea butter sector’s value chain can be fully developed and industrialized, the state stand the benefit to depend on  the massive sources of income and it’s huge job opportunities”.

He  further explained that  “Shea butter is now a gold in many African and European countries and a primary source of raw materials for household products, hence the need for government to develop it with a view  to attracting massive investments”.

Similarly, in her welcome address, the Chairperson, Niger State Enterprenuership Development Organization Forum, Engnr. Dr. Caroline O. Alenoghena said that members of the Forum were drawn by the  one passion to see MSME’s survive and grow to become bigger and to see women, youths ,marginalized ,displaced among others supported to create ,start and scale their businesses.

Alenoghena said, “We provide training, coaching, ecosystem support, incubation and harmony, stressing that we have one dream to see Niger State prosper in our life time”.

Speaking further, she recalled that the Forum started as a response to a call in July 2021 by GiZ, adding that at the time,  they wanted partners in creating Business Development Opportunities through Enterprenuership Training and Coaching in Niger State.

“Seven Partner Organizations got selected in Following a thorough screening process.  it seemed we were there to compete ,however we realized the great need for MSME support in Niger, the despair, and hunger for support , we have since evolved into partnership.

“Today, we are a registered organization,”Enterprenuership Development Organization”, she further stated

Alenoghena thereby enjoined everyone,.  especially Nigerlites,  to partner with them in making this great mission of bringing prosperity to Niger State  a reality.

Meanwhile,  the event witnessed the signing of contract for financial and technical support between active players in the MSMEs in Niger state and GIZ as well as the exhibition of different products by small scale and business enterprises also took  place.