The Wife of the Anambra State Governor, Dr. Nonye Soludo, has called for increased support and investment in Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs), describing them as critical drivers of economic growth, job creation and sustainable development.
In a statement on Saturday to commemorate the 2026 United Nations World Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSME) Day, Dr. Soludo urged governments, financial institutions, development partners and the private sector to strengthen policies and initiatives that enable small businesses to thrive.
Reflecting on this year’s theme, “Enhancing the Role of MSMEs as Drivers of Sustainable Growth and Innovation,” the Anambra First Lady said the theme highlights the need to create an enabling environment where entrepreneurs can access finance, technology, innovation, capacity building and wider markets to grow their businesses.
She noted that MSMEs remain the backbone of economies across the world, contributing significantly to employment generation, poverty reduction and economic resilience, particularly in developing countries such as Nigeria.
According to her, supporting small businesses is an investment in stronger families, prosperous communities and inclusive economic development.
“Today, we celebrate the resilience, innovation and determination of entrepreneurs whose ideas create jobs, strengthen families and drive sustainable economic growth,” she said, adding that despite prevailing economic challenges, many entrepreneurs have continued to demonstrate remarkable resilience and creativity.
Dr. Soludo urged stakeholders to sustain efforts that would help MSMEs expand and compete in an increasingly digital economy, stressing that empowering women and youth-owned enterprises would accelerate economic transformation and improve livelihoods.
“Let’s continue to support and empower MSMEs because when small businesses thrive, our communities prosper,” she stressed.
The Anambra First Lady reaffirmed her commitment to promoting entrepreneurship, women’s economic empowerment and sustainable livelihoods through initiatives that encourage enterprise development and self-reliance.
World MSME Day is observed annually on June 27 by the United Nations to recognise the contributions of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises to employment generation, innovation, poverty reduction and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
