SMEs Urged to Embrace Sustainable Growth at 2025 EDC Conference

Stakeholders from the Enterprise Development Centre (EDC), Keystone Bank, MasterCard Foundation, and Tripoint Academy have called on Nigerian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to prioritize sustainable, impact-driven growth to strengthen the country’s business ecosystem.

The appeal was made at the 2025 EDC SME Conference in Lagos, held under the theme, “Catalysing the Future: Empowering Small Businesses for Impact and Inclusive Growth.”

EDC Director Nneka Okekearu highlighted that the conference focused on key issues such as compliance, exports, and tax regulations, while providing a platform for entrepreneurs to connect, learn, and collaborate. She reaffirmed EDC’s commitment to supporting inclusive and sustainable business development nationwide.

Okekearu also praised Tripoint Academy for empowering over 30,000 women in the past decade, noting that the partnership aligns with Keystone Bank’s drive to promote inclusive entrepreneurship among women.

In her keynote address, MasterCard Foundation Country Director Rosy Fynn commended EDC for 18 years of impactful support to SMEs across Nigeria. She described small businesses as the backbone of the economy, often hindered by limited access to finance, markets, and digital tools. Fynn highlighted that the Foundation’s collaboration with EDC aims to equip entrepreneurs with skills and resources for long-term success, urging a focus on collaboration over competition in 2026.

“Having hope, resilience, and the right mindset is key to making 2026 a successful year for many SMEs,” Fynn said.

Keystone Bank’s Executive Director, Nnenna Okoro, reiterated the bank’s commitment to SME growth, describing small businesses as critical to Nigeria’s economy. She also announced plans to expand the bank’s SME clinic initiative, which offers guidance and thought leadership to help entrepreneurs thrive beyond financial support.

Shuhda Muhammad, Founder of Tripoint Travels Academy and representative of northern entrepreneurs, praised the organisers and reaffirmed the academy’s dedication to empowering business owners in northern Nigeria. She noted that over 11,000 entrepreneurs—80 per cent of them women—have benefited from the programme, which promotes financial independence, mindset transformation, and market access.

Muhammad described the initiative as a key enabler for women entrepreneurs to overcome barriers, expand their businesses, and showcase their products and services.