News Investigators/ President Bola Tinubu has welcomed the 12 million dollars Abuja Centre for Entrepreneurship (ACE), saying it will strengthen Nigeria’s MSME ecosystem and boost business growth.
This is contained in a statement by Presidential Spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, on Wednesday in Abuja.
The Centre, funded by the Republic of Korea through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), is being developed at SMEDAN Industrial Development Centre, Idu, Abuja.
It is being developed in partnership with the Federal Government through SMEDAN and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The ACE is expected to provide facilities, technology, training and enterprise support for aspiring entrepreneurs, start-ups and growing businesses.
The centre targets 500 entrepreneurs, 400 start-ups and 1,500 MSMEs, with 5.9 million dollars allocated to construction and 6.1 million dollars for equipment and programmes.
Tinubu said the centre would help establish, strengthen and grow businesses, noting that small enterprises remained important to Nigeria’s economy.
”Small businesses are an important part of our economy. They employ people, support families and create activity in communities across the country,” he said.
He said many entrepreneurs had ideas and determination but needed better access to facilities, technology, training and support to grow their businesses.
According to him, the centre will therefore provide more of that support and strengthen the ecosystem around them,” he added.
”ACE will provide workspaces, digital facilities, training, incubation and enterprise support for entrepreneurs, start-ups and growing businesses.
”The centre will serve businesses in Abuja and surrounding cities, including Kaduna, Jos, Keffi, Lafia, Minna, Makurdi and Lokoja.”
Tinubu said the Federal Government would continue expanding conditions that enabled small businesses to grow, compete and create employment.
”We want more Nigerians to be able to start businesses, grow them and employ others.
”The centre is designed to accommodate women and persons with disabilities, with accessible facilities and crèche services for women with young children.
While construction continues, SMEDAN, KOICA and UNDP will work with universities, incubators, financial institutions and private-sector organisations to build a wider support system,” the president added.
Tinubu thanked the Korean Government for the 12 million dollars investment and commended KOICA, UNDP and SMEDAN for advancing the project.
”Our economy will be stronger when more Nigerian businesses can start, survive and grow. We must keep building the support around them,” he stressed.
NAN