New Partnership Between Customs And SMEDAN To Boost SMEs In Cross-Border Trade

New Partnership Between Customs And SMEDAN To Boost SMEs In Cross-Border Trade....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced a partnership with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) to enhance trade, promote local production, and simplify cross-border trading for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). This initiative was revealed by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, during a meeting with SMEDAN’s Director-General, Mr. Charles Oidi, and his team at the NCS headquarters in Abuja……CONTINUE READING 

Adeniyi indicated that a dedicated SMEDAN team would be set up at the NCS office to provide specialized support and facilitate smoother processes for small business owners engaging in cross-border trade. He emphasized the significant role of SMEs in Nigeria’s economy, noting, “The population of SMEs cannot be ignored. Whatever you do with them, you do it to strengthen the economy of the nation.”

According to the SMEDAN National Survey, Nigeria relies on SMEs for job creation and driving the informal economy, with around 41 million micro-businesses and 73,000 small and medium enterprises contributing significantly. However, these businesses face various operational challenges.

In response, Oidi highlighted the importance of supporting SMEs and commended the NCS for its commitment to their development. He assured that SMEDAN would continue to facilitate productive interactions between government agencies and the SME ecosystem, stating, “SMEDAN remains dedicated to identifying bottlenecks, designing inclusive solutions, and implementing effective strategies to support the growth of SMEs in Nigeria.”