The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), in partnership with Trade Facilitation Office (TFO) Canada, has launched a five-year initiative aimed at strengthening small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria and preparing them for international markets.
The project, known as Trade for Resilient, Inclusive and Sustainable Economic Growth (TRISEG), is funded by the Government of Canada through Global Affairs Canada and will run from 2025 to 2030.
The initiative is being implemented across 16 developing countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean to strengthen Trade Support Institutions (TSIs) and improve the competitiveness of businesses, particularly women-owned enterprises and other under-represented groups.
Speaking at the official launch in Abuja, ACCI President, Chief Emeka Obegolu, SAN, PhD, described the initiative as an important opportunity to strengthen Nigeria’s business ecosystem by building institutional capacity and equipping local enterprises to compete effectively in domestic and international markets.
Obegolu said the partnership reflected ACCI’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for Nigerian businesses to become more productive, competitive and resilient.
He noted that the success of inclusive economic growth depended not only on establishing businesses but also on providing them with the skills, resources and institutional support needed to access larger markets.
“TRISEG provides an opportunity to strengthen the capacity of Trade Support Institutions to deliver more inclusive and gender-responsive services,” he said.
The project is expected to directly support 200 SMEs in Nigeria, with 67 per cent owned or led by women and other under-represented groups.
Globally, the initiative targets 3,200 SMEs, including 2,133 businesses owned or led by women and under-represented groups.
A major component of the programme is the SME Climate Resilience Fund, which will provide technical assistance, digital resources, training, capacity-building support and investment planning to help selected businesses improve environmental sustainability and withstand climate-related challenges.
Obegolu said the climate resilience component was particularly important as Nigerian businesses increasingly needed to balance commercial success with environmental responsibility and long-term sustainability.
The launch also featured a stakeholder validation workshop on the Nigeria Export Market Analysis and Institutional Capacity Assessment, bringing together representatives of government agencies, financial institutions, development partners, business associations and private-sector organisations.
The workshop provided a platform for stakeholders to examine and validate findings on the challenges facing Nigerian SMEs, particularly in accessing international markets.
The ACCI president urged participants to go beyond endorsing the findings and identify practical solutions to barriers affecting businesses, including financing gaps, institutional constraints, limited digitalisation, inadequate capacity development and difficulties accessing export markets.
He also called for stronger collaboration among SMEs, financial institutions, Trade Support Institutions and international buyers to ensure that the outcomes of the workshop translated into measurable improvements for businesses.
Obegolu expressed appreciation to TFO Canada and the Government of Canada, through Global Affairs Canada, for their continued support for Nigerian businesses and institutions.
He said ACCI would provide the institutional platform necessary to ensure the successful implementation of the initiative.
“We are not simply launching another project. We are strengthening an ecosystem,” he said, urging stakeholders to engage in frank discussions, share practical experiences and develop clear priorities and actionable recommendations.
Also speaking, the First Deputy President of ACCI and Chairman of the Chamber’s Business Entrepreneurship, Skills and Technology (BEST) Centre, Prof. Adesoji Adesugba, commended TFO Canada for its partnership in strengthening the capacity of women entrepreneurs and SME owners through training, mentorship and sustained support.
Adesugba said the collaboration had enabled the BEST Centre to provide business owners with opportunities and resources to improve their operations.
“We are able to provide the necessary support to this group of business owners because you have been a trusted partner. We believe this launch will further strengthen our collaboration and open up more opportunities for women entrepreneurs and SMEs,” he said.
The Director-General of ACCI, Mr Agabaidu Jideani, said the TRISEG initiative would strengthen the capacity of Trade Support Institutions to deliver gender-responsive services to Nigerian businesses.
According to him, the services would include market intelligence, business coaching, export development, digital strategies and connections with Canadian and other international buyers.
Jideani commended TFO Canada for its continued support for women-owned businesses and SMEs, noting that such interventions were crucial to improving business capacity, competitiveness and access to international markets.
He also called for sustained collaboration among stakeholders to expand inclusive trade and economic opportunities for women and SMEs.
In his remarks, TFO Canada Executive Director, Steve Tipman, said the organisation was proud to support Nigerian businesses in strengthening their export readiness and accessing new opportunities in international markets.
He described TRISEG as a continuation of the longstanding partnership between TFO Canada, Nigerian institutions and Global Affairs Canada.
Through the initiative, TFO Canada will also provide up-to-date trade information through its online platform, with an expected reach of more than 5,550 SME beneficiaries across participating countries.
The 16 participating countries are Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, Zambia, Bangladesh, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Colombia, Guatemala, Honduras and Peru.
The launch was coordinated by ACCI Deputy Director-General, Dr Tinuke Temitope, who commended participants and appreciated the TFO Canada team for its support towards the successful take-off of the initiative.
The event attracted representatives of Trade Support Institutions, government agencies, financial institutions, development partners, private-sector organisations, business associations and organisations supporting women and other under-represented groups.
ACCI reaffirmed its commitment to working with TFO Canada, government institutions, development partners and the private sector to ensure that the TRISEG project delivers tangible and sustainable benefits for Nigerian SMEs, particularly women-led businesses and other under-represented enterprises.
