June 26, 2025 – The Kaduna State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) to support small businesses and create jobs across the state.
The MoU, signed today, is part of a fresh partnership to boost access to finance, business development support, and job creation for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Kaduna.
Governor Uba Sani signed on behalf of the state government, while the Director General of SMEDAN, Mr. Charles Odii, signed on behalf of the agency.
Governor Sani described the partnership as “a transformative step towards revitalising the entrepreneurial landscape of our great state.” He revealed that the number of MSMEs in Kaduna has grown from under 20,000 to over 180,000 in just two years.
“This achievement reflects our administration’s strong commitment to economic inclusion,” the governor stated.
Mr. Odii commended Kaduna’s government for its dedication to peace, security, infrastructure development, and human capital growth. He also praised the state for promoting financial inclusion and empowering small businesses.
“Kaduna remains the best-performing state in SME support and is the first to embrace this forward-thinking initiative,” Mr. Odii said.
The key objectives of the agreement include providing affordable capital for Nano, Micro, and Small Enterprises (NMSEs), fostering a vibrant business environment that drives innovation, and creating sustainable jobs across both urban and rural areas of Kaduna.
The N1 billion Matching Fund Program will be jointly funded by SMEDAN and the Kaduna State Government, with each contributing N500 million. The fund is aimed at making finance accessible to entrepreneurs and small business owners to help them grow.
The Kaduna State Enterprise Development Agency (KADEDA) will lead the implementation of this initiative, ensuring that small businesses can access affordable working capital and funds for asset acquisition.
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Governor Sani assured that his administration will continue to unlock economic opportunities, empower the people, and build a resilient and prosperous Kaduna through strategic partnerships like this.