The Federal Government has urged Nigerian entrepreneurs to take advantage of the Inspire–Create–Start–Scale (ICSS) programme to access financing and expand their businesses, as implementation data shows growing impact across the country.
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The call was made by the Director-General of Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria, Charles Odii, during the launch of the ICSS4ALL initiative in Abuja. He described the programme as a structured pathway designed to support enterprises from ideation to market access, while strengthening Nigeria’s broader economic base.
The ICSS initiative is implemented in collaboration with German Agency for International Cooperation, Kaduna Business School and GOPA Consultancy, combining institutional support with access to funding and capacity development.
Odii called on financial institutions to align lending frameworks with the improved risk profiles of entrepreneurs trained under the programme. “To our ICSS alumni, what you have earned is real and recognised. Stay connected to this ecosystem, access the financing you now qualify for, and scale your businesses,” he said.
According to data presented at the event, more than 14,000 entrepreneurs have been trained under the ICSS framework, with over 42,000 individuals reached across six states. The programme has also contributed to the creation of 17,967 jobs, with women accounting for 60 per cent of beneficiaries, reflecting its focus on inclusive growth.
Country Director of GIZ Nigeria, Markus Wagner, noted that the programme addresses long-standing barriers faced by Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), particularly limited access to structured support and affordable finance. He added that MSMEs account for about 97 per cent of businesses, nearly 90 per cent of employment and close to half of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product.
Wagner further disclosed that the ICSSLearn digital platform would expand access to training, standardise capacity-building and improve the credit readiness of Nigerian entrepreneurs.
