{
  "id": 10838707,
  "title": "Oduwole Reaffirms FG’s Commitment to Unlock Finance to Small Businesses",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/oduwole-reaffirms-fgs-commitment-to-unlock-finance-to-small-businesses",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-30T02:51:53.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "This Day",
    "slug": "this-day",
    "url": "https://www.thisdaylive.com/2026/09/30/oduwole-reaffirms-fgs-commitment-to-unlock-finance-to-small-businesses/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Nigeria's Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, reiterated the government's dedication to expanding finance and market access for small businesses at the inauguration of the 21st Abuja International Trade Fair (AITF). The event, organized by the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), aimed to help Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) transition from local production and survival to scalable, sustainable growth and global competition.\n\nOduwole emphasized the necessity of government and private sector collaboration to build a productive economy capable of achieving Nigeria's $1 trillion economic goal. She stated that the government's role was to create an enabling environment for businesses to invest, expand, and generate jobs, while the private sector would remain the primary engine of economic growth. This required continuous enhancements in the business environment, infrastructure, trade facilitation, and government processes, along with easing investment and production barriers.\n\nThe minister highlighted that Nigeria's market could no longer be confined to national borders and that businesses needed access to finance, standards, technology, information, and expanded markets. She stressed that resilience should not mean merely withstanding challenges but adapting, investing, expanding, competing, and creating jobs. Oduwole challenged the fair's organizers and participants to ensure that the event resulted in commercial opportunities rather than merely showcasing products.\n\nACCI President, Chief Emeka Obegolu, called for policies that would enhance business competitiveness, emphasizing that resilience should not leave businesses solely responsible for bearing the weight of a difficult operating environment. He identified issues such as multiple taxation, infrastructure deficiencies, affordable finance access, port procedures, local manufacturing, and export-oriented businesses as areas requiring ongoing cooperation between government and the private sector.\n\nAmbassador Abhishek Singh of India's High Commission in Nigeria emphasized India's interest in deepening commercial ties with Nigeria, beyond traditional trade. He noted that India-Nigeria trade had grown to $9.2 billion in 2025/26 and expressed interest in partnerships in affordable technology, healthcare, critical minerals, innovation, and digital public infrastructure. Singh also encouraged Nigerian and Indian start-ups to collaborate, focusing on creating jobs in both nations.",
  "summary": "• ACCI seeks relief on multiple taxation, infrastructure, affordable credit •Nigeria-India bilateral trade hits $9.2 billion James Emejo and Aminat Hassan in Abuja Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr.",
  "key_points": [
    "Dr. Jumoke Oduwole reaffirms FG's commitment to unlocking finance for small businesses.",
    "Nigeria aims to achieve $1 trillion economy; government and private sector collaboration essential.",
    "ACCI President calls for policies enhancing business competitiveness and resilience."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The government's reaffirmed commitment to unlocking finance for small businesses signals a push for collaborative efforts to drive economic growth and global competitiveness, particularly for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}