EDC, AGRA, SMEDAN, Others Partner to Build Capacity of Agric SMEs

EDC, AGRA, SMEDAN, Others Partner to Build Capacity of Agric SMEs

The Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) of Pan-Atlantic University has partnered with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), and Kaduna Business School (KBS) to strengthen the capacity of agricultural small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and Business Development Service Providers (BDSPs) across Nigeria.

From left:Dorcas Damilola Awojobi, Judith Bassey, Dele Junaid, Oluwaseun Adeyemi, Sarah Afolabi Olagoke, and Ridwan Mudashiru, all beneficiaries of Enterprise Development Centre’s (EDC) AGRIC-SMEs Bootcamp and Pitch Competition held at EDC head office, Ajah, Lagos, recently

The collaboration was highlighted during the recently concluded EDC AG-SME Bootcamp and Pitch Competition, a three-day intensive and fully sponsored programme held at the Centre’s headquarters in Lagos. The initiative was designed to enhance the capacity of agric-SMEs, deepen BDSP linkages, and improve access to finance for emerging entrepreneurs.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Nnenna Ugwu, Head of Alumni Relations and Support Services and a member of EDC’s management board, said the programme aims to nurture high-potential entrepreneurs and reward outstanding business ideas.

“We are here to identify and support exceptional entrepreneurs who participated in the AG-SMEs empowerment programme. The winners will each receive a grant of one million naira to scale their businesses,” she said.

Dr. Ugwu noted that participants demonstrated innovation and resilience throughout the bootcamp, reaffirming the growing potential within Nigeria’s agricultural sector.

On the partnership, she explained that EDC’s collaboration with SMEDAN, AGRA, and Kaduna Business School is driven by a shared commitment to positioning SMEs as a critical engine of economic growth.

“SMEDAN plays a regulatory role in Nigeria’s SME ecosystem, making it a natural partner. Our longstanding collaboration reflects a joint effort to create an enabling environment for small businesses to thrive,” she added.

Also speaking, Dr. Stanley Ibeku, Lead for Research, Monitoring and Evaluation at EDC, said the partnership is focused on equipping agric-SMEs with the technical, managerial, and financial skills required to scale their operations.

“We are providing these entrepreneurs with competencies in investment readiness, operations, management, and financial planning, enabling them to access funding and grow sustainably,” he said.

Dr. Ibeku revealed that eight SMEs emerged as winners of the pitch competition, each receiving a grant of N1 million. He added that the beneficiaries would also receive three months of free business development support from professional consultants to help strengthen their operations.

Beneficiaries of the programme commended its impact on their businesses.

Ms. Damilola Awojobi, CEO of Dainty Foods, described the experience as transformative. “The programme was eye-opening. It helped me refocus on key aspects of my business such as record-keeping, financial tracking, and investment planning,” she said.

Another participant, Dale Junaid, said the training improved his understanding of financial management and investment readiness.

“I gained valuable insights into personal finance, bookkeeping, and pitch preparation. This programme has significantly improved my approach to running my business,” he noted.

The initiative underscores the growing collaboration among key stakeholders in Nigeria’s SME ecosystem to empower entrepreneurs and drive sustainable economic development.