FG unveils free digital procurement training for MSMEs

The Federal Government has launched a free digital training platform aimed at breaking down barriers that have prevented small businesses from participating in Nigeria's multi-billion-naira public procurement sector. The platform, unveiled in Abuja by the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) in collaboration with the World Bank, targets approximately 39.6 million micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), providing them with the tools necessary to bid for and win public contracts.

Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Senator John Enoh, emphasized the need to move away from an approach that only focuses on enforcing compliance towards one that actively enables small operators within the system. He highlighted issues such as cumbersome procedures, poor access to information, and onerous documentation demands as significant obstacles that have kept qualified entrepreneurs out of government contracts.

Enoh stressed that merely digitizing procurement platforms is not sufficient and that small businesses must be able to effectively use and navigate these platforms to participate meaningfully.

The minister also cited limited technical knowledge, weak internal systems, and difficulties in interpreting procurement documents as key challenges faced by MSMEs. He stressed the importance of government agencies streamlining procurement processes, increasing transparency, and actively supporting women-led enterprises and other small businesses to ensure a level playing field.

Business associations were urged to play a crucial role in raising awareness among their members and preparing them to seize procurement opportunities. Enoh also called for better alignment between procurement reform and gender inclusion, job creation, and local content.

The Bureau of Public Procurement's Director-General, Dr Adebowale Adedokun, explained that the training scheme was designed to address the knowledge and capacity gaps that have historically excluded MSMEs from government contracts. He noted that while small businesses make up about 96% of enterprises in Nigeria and contribute roughly half of the Gross Domestic Product, they remain underrepresented in public procurement.

The platform offers hands-on training on spotting opportunities, drafting competitive bids, understanding contract obligations, and meeting performance benchmarks. Adedokun cautioned that completing the training does not guarantee a contract, as awards will still go through the established competitive process.

Charles Odii, Director-General of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), emphasized that the scheme will link millions of Nigerian businesses to one of the country's largest and most reliable markets. He highlighted that there are 39,654,385 micro, small, and medium enterprises in the country, and expanding their access to public contracts would boost local production, create jobs, and retain more economic value domestically.

Odii described the move as consistent with President Bola Tinubu's Nigeria First policy, which promotes greater involvement of domestic enterprises in economic opportunities. Odii added that a draft National Policy on MSMEs for 2026 to 2030, which treats public procurement as a key tool for enterprise growth and local content development, is still awaiting approval from the Federal Executive Council.

Matthew Verghis, the World Bank's Country Director for Nigeria, emphasized that increasing MSME participation in government procurement would elevate competition, improve public spending efficiency, and drive job creation. He stressed that the success of the new platform will depend on its adoption and the increasing competitiveness of participating enterprises.

The training rollout is part of the World Bank-backed Sustainable Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards Enhancement Project, aimed at building procurement capacity and integrating sustainable practices across Nigeria's public and private sectors.