By Lucy Ogalue

The Kaduna State Government and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) have signed a N1 billion Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to support the growth of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across the state.

The MoU, signed by Governor Uba Sani and SMEDAN’s Director-General, Mr Charles Odii, establishes a strategic partnership aimed at improving access to finance, strengthening entrepreneurship, and creating jobs in both urban and rural areas of Kaduna State.

At the core of the partnership is a N1 billion Matching Fund, with N500 million contributed by each party.

The fund is designed to provide affordable and accessible financing options for Nano, Micro, and Small Enterprises (NMSEs), enabling them to access working capital and invest in critical assets.

The Kaduna State governor described the collaboration as a game-changer for small businesses and a practical step toward addressing poverty, unemployment, and insecurity in the state.

“This partnership marks a bold step toward transforming Kaduna’s economic landscape and unlocking the full potential of our entrepreneurial talent,” he said.

Sani further pledged to consider increasing the state’s contribution to the fund once the impact of the intervention began to show.

On his part, the SMEDAN director- general, commended the Kaduna State Government for creating an enabling environment for enterprise development and for its investments in human capital.

Odii noted that Kaduna currently lead the country on SMEDAN’s dashboard for MSME registration.

“We are proud to partner with a state that is intentional about entrepreneurship and development.

“This fund will provide small businesses with the critical support they need to grow and contribute meaningfully to the economy,” he stated.

“The partnership aims to empower local entrepreneurs, stimulate economic activities, and foster inclusive development by removing financial barriers faced by small business owners.

“Key objectives of the initiative include broadening access to finance, boosting innovation and productivity, and promoting sustainable job creation across the state,” he said.

The agreement reflects a shared commitment by both SMEDAN and the Kaduna State Government to strengthen the MSME ecosystem as a vehicle for economic revitalization and improved livelihoods.