The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) has announced a N100m funding initiative to support 100 entrepreneurs through grants, business training, and market access opportunities.
The initiative will feature at the GROW Nigerian Conference 2026 in Lagos, with the aim of helping small businesses overcome funding and management challenges.
According to a statement by the agency, the major highlight will be the Zero to 100 Pitch Competition, which offers a N100m prize pool for selected businesses. The grants will be distributed at the Lagos conference and another event in northern Nigeria, with the final and prize presentations scheduled for November 10.
SMEDAN Director-General, Charles Odii, said the initiative would equip entrepreneurs with practical business skills and the financial support needed to establish and expand sustainable businesses.
He explained that many Nigerians have business ideas and practical skills but lack the capital and management knowledge to turn them into viable enterprises.
The conference will also feature the Nigeria First Fair, where local businesses will showcase and sell their products while connecting with potential customers and business partners.
Another highlight is a dedicated National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) summit scheduled for November 9. It will bring regulators and business owners together to discuss registration challenges and demonstrate the agency’s NAPAMS platform.
SMEDAN said the conference would also provide opportunities for entrepreneurs to connect with investors, financial institutions, and regulators.
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