Kogi Commerce Ministry & Keda, Pledges Stronger Synergy For SME Growth

By

Taiye Bayode

As part of efforts to strengthen collaboration with its supervised agencies and enhance service delivery to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across the state, the Ministry of Commerce & Industry paid a familiarization visit to the Kogi Enterprise Development Agency (KEDA), Lokoja.

The team, led by the Permanent Secretary, Hajiya Musa-Amana Sualihat, explained that the visit was aimed at deepening the understanding of KEDA’s operations, achievements and challenges, while exploring ways both organisations could work together more closely to improve service delivery to the people of Kogi State.

While encouraging open engagement between both teams to identify gaps and agree on practical steps for improved collaboration going forward, the permanent secretary explained that there is need for proper synergy between both parties.

Earlier, Executive Director of Operations, Mr Akin Akinola, gave an overview of the agency’s mandate, noting that KEDA was established to support the growth of SMEs, describing it as constituting a significant share of the state’s working population.

Director of Administration and Finance, Mr Zuberu Usman, and the Deputy Director of Accounts, Mr Abdullahi Yusuf on their own part reviewed the existing relationship between the agency and the ministry and agreed to strengthen communication and reporting channels.

Establishing that SME Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs Osasona Victoria work more closely with KEDA to ensure regular exchange of information and closer coordination on programmes affecting SMEs in the state, the meeting also reviewed ongoing efforts to support SMEs with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) business registration, enabling small business owners to access government grants, loan facilities, other support programmes to help support the clustering of SMEs in easing access to funding and other interventions.

Discussions also touched on the broader importance of access to finance for SME growth, with officials citing ongoing engagement with financial institutions such as the Bank of Industry (BOI) and highlighting funding windows such as the GLOW scheme, a gender-focused loan facility designed to support women in production-based enterprises such as poultry and catering, with officials noted the significant contribution SMEs make to national economies globally, and reaffirmed the office’s commitment to continue linking credible, well-prepared entrepreneurs with financial institutions and funding opportunities.

Speaking further, both officials agreed to formalise communication protocols, in ensuring a designated liaison contact between both offices to avoid communication gaps in the past.

Both parties expressed commitment to sustaining the renewed synergy and ensuring that the outcomes of the engagement translate into improved support for small and medium enterprises across the state, in line with the administration of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s continued drive to strengthen institutional collaboration, deepen support for SMEs, and boost economic growth across Kogi State.