-
The Trade Facilitation Office of Canada has launched a five-year programme to support 200 Nigerian SMEs in expanding their export capacity and accessing international markets.
-
67 percent of Nigerian beneficiaries are expected to be businesses owned or led by women and other underrepresented groups.
-
The wider programme will target 3,200 SMEs across 16 countries, with support ranging from market intelligence and business coaching to digital strategies and buyer connections.
October 09, (THEWILL) – The Trade Facilitation Office of Canada has launched a five-year programme in support of 200 Nigerian small and medium-sized enterprises in strengthening their export capacity and accessing international markets.
The initiative, funded by the Canadian Government through Global Affairs Canada, will support businesses in improving export readiness, obtaining market information and connecting with potential international buyers.
About 67 percent of the Nigerian beneficiaries are expected to be businesses owned or led by women and other underrepresented groups.
The programme, known as Trade for Resilient, Inclusive and Sustainable Economic Growth, was launched in Abuja on Thursday.
Speaking at the launch, the President of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Chief Emeka Obegolu, said the initiative would help address barriers limiting the ability of Nigerian SMEs to compete in international markets.
Programme Targets Export Barriers, Women-Led Businesses
Obegolu said many Nigerian businesses had the potential to compete globally but were held back by limited access to finance, market information, digital tools and institutional support.
He said the programme would strengthen Trade Support Institutions to provide more inclusive and gender-responsive services to SMEs.
The initiative also includes an SME Climate Resilience Fund, which will support technical assistance, digital resources, training and the development of investment plans to improve environmental sustainability and climate resilience.
Obegolu said such support matters for businesses seeking to improve competitiveness while adapting to environmental and climate-related challenges.
“Today should not be simply a validation exercise where we confirm what has already been written. It should be a platform for refinement, prioritisation and action”, he said.
He urged stakeholders to identify the major barriers preventing Nigerian SMEs from accessing international markets and determine where institutional reforms, capacity building, financing and digitalisation were needed.
He also called for stronger connections among SMEs, financial institutions, Trade Support Institutions and international buyers.
READ ALSO:
3,200 SMEs To Benefit Across 16 Countries
The Executive Director of TFO Canada, Steve Tipman, said the organisation was committed to helping Nigerian SMEs improve their export readiness and access new markets.
“TFO Canada is proud to support small and medium enterprises in Nigeria to strengthen their export readiness and access new opportunities in foreign markets – turning market access into sustainable economic growth”, Tipman said.
He said the programme would provide market intelligence, business coaching, export development support, digital strategies and connections with Canadian and international buyers.
Beyond Nigeria, the programme will target 3,200 SMEs across 16 participating countries, including 2,133 businesses owned or led by women and other underrepresented groups.
The organisation also expects its online trade information platform to reach more than 5,550 SME beneficiaries across the participating countries.
The African participants are Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal and Zambia.
In Asia, the programme covers Bangladesh, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam, while Colombia, Guatemala, Honduras, and Peru participate from Latin America and the Caribbean.
The initiative is designed to help participating businesses overcome export barriers and build the capacity required to compete in international markets.
Ogochukwu Onwaeze is a writer specializing in business and economic journalism. At THEWILL News Media, she translates market trends, financial developments, and policy shifts into clear and engaging stories.
