The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) has restated its commitment to supporting Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) as key drivers of industrial and economic growth in Niger State.
Speaking at the Niger State Ecosystem Engagement Meeting on Strengthening the MSME Landscape in Minna, the State Coordinator of RMRDC, Dr Abdulrasheed Mohammed, represented by Mrs Zafirah Zakari Sabo, said the Council would continue to work with relevant organisations to promote the development of local raw materials, agro-industrial clusters, and enterprise sustainability.
She identified challenges affecting the MSME sector, including poor infrastructure, limited access to funding, policy gaps, and the absence of a unified data system. Mrs. Sabo called for stronger inter-agency collaboration, the creation of industrial hubs, and policy incentives to boost small business development.
Delivering the keynote address, Mr. Musa Ebayaya of GIZ-GOPA said MSME growth depends on effective partnerships in policy, finance, human capital, and market access. He urged stakeholders to adopt the Inspire, Create, Start and Scale (ICSS) framework to promote innovation and research-industry linkages.
The Chairperson of the Entrepreneurship Development Organisation (E.D.O.), Prof. Caroline Alenoghena, stressed the need for collective action to strengthen the MSME ecosystem. Stakeholders at the meeting agreed to hold regular engagements and develop follow-up frameworks to track progress.
