From Atiku Sarki, Abuja
The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) has announced plans to create 100 new millionaire entrepreneurs through practical capacity building and financial grants at the GROW Nigerian Conference 2026.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday by the Agency said the conference scheduled to hold from 8 to 10 November 2026 at the Ecobank Pan African Centre (EPAC), Victoria Island, Lagos, under the theme “GROW Nigerian: The Next Frontier for Innovation, Policy and Market Access.” will bring together entrepreneurs, policymakers, investors and development partners aimed to connect Nigerian small businesses with the skills, finance, markets and institutional support they need to grow, while shaping policies that improve the business environment.
It will also combines intensive masterclasses with enterprise funding, giving beneficiaries the skills and capital to start businesses, improve their operations and expand.
feedback.
According to the statement, the conference in partnership with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH through its Sustainable Economic Development Cluster (SEDEC), commissioned by the German Government and cofunded by the governments of Denmark and Switzerland and the European Union, and among other partners will formally open on the 9th November to showcase Nigerian products and creative enterprise, followed by learning sessions and business engagements.
The conference which is to be host by Lagos State Government and Ecobank as Partner, is also expected to attend by the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
SMEDAN Director-General and Chief Executive Officer Charles Odii, said the conference was designed to address the practical challenges that prevent entrepreneurial talent from translating into viable businesses.
“For someone who has learnt a skill but cannot afford the tools to begin, access to capital can change their prospects. For an existing business, knowing how to price properly, attract customers and managed money can determine whether that capital produces growth,” Odii
said.
“Our ambition to create 100 millionaires brings these needs together. We want entrepreneurs to leave the conference with usefulskills, financial support and connections that help them build businesses capable of sustaining livelihoods and employing others.”
The conference will also feature the Nigeria First Fair, a marketplace open to the public throughout the three days, where visitors can shop directly from Nigerian small businesses, discover local brands and meet the entrepreneurs behind their products.
With the festive season approaching, the fair offers an opportunity to get ahead on Christmas shopping, source gifts for family and friends, and purchase items for end-of-year celebrations.
Corporate buyers, retailers and organisations will also be able to explore gift orders, identify suppliers and establish relationships with participating businesses.
SMEDAN encouraged Lagos residents and visitors to attend the fair, noting that every purchase creates an immediate commercial opportunity for a Nigerian enterprise.
“We are inviting people to come and shop Nigerian. As you prepare for the festive season, there is an opportunity to discover something new, buy directly from local businesses and help an entrepreneur finish the year stronger,” Odii said.
