The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) says it would collaborate with the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) and the Centre for Strategic Enterprise Development (CSED) on the upcoming Small Medium Enterprise event, “The Funding Forum” TFF.
The Director-General of SMEDAN, Dr. Olawale Fasanya said this when he received a five-man delegation from Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Centre for Strategic Enterprise Development, led by the Executive Director, National Chamber Policy Centre Mr. Chidiebere Onwumere.
Mr Fasanya who lauded the initiative behind the programme slated for 27 and 28 June to mark the United Nations SME Day, added that it was a very good idea.
According to him, ” if you put 10 SMEs together and ask them their major challenges, their response would be, the problem of funding, the idea is very good, we will support this initiative but let us have specific roles you want us to play at the event.”
The Executive Director, National Chamber Policy Centre, ACCI, Mr Chidiebere Onwumere who appreciated DG SMEDAN sought for the collaboration of agency to host TFF 2023 in order to have a robust programme that will benefit the SMEs in the area of funding.
“Your agency both in the past and present has been supportive of our programme, you played major roles in our 1st SME Conference and Exhibition and other events of the Chamber, hence, the reason why we are here again,” he said.
He also requested that the agency open their SMEs database to be invited for participation.
The representative of the CSED, Mr. Divine Freeman explained some of the activities for the two-day event to include Equity panel (venture capital and equity funding), Grant panel (development and innovation grant), Fintech and Credit Infrastructure and Regulations panel.
He also stated that there would be funding master class for SMEs as the event comes in three layers; Opening, Funding for SMEs and Solutions.
Mr Freeman explained that the target is to close $2 million deal within 48 hours for SMEs and additional $20 million targeted post event deals to finance business working capital, expansions, capital investments, new product developments, startups and others.
TFF is expected to attend to the needs of businesses seeking a variety of business funds.
