Below is the full text of Dr. Eradiri’s goodwill message as delivered at the summit:
“Your Excellency the Governor of Delta State (ably represented), distinguished guests, champions of enterprise, ladies and gentlemen:
It is an honour to deliver this goodwill message at a summit dedicated to transforming ideas into impact and aspirations into measurable value. The theme, ‘Advancing MSMEs: From Vision to More Value,’ is more than a slogan—it describes a strategic trajectory we have steadily built across Africa, including Nigeria, over the past six to eight years.
MSMEs remain the backbone of our economies. Current sector analyses show that MSMEs contribute approximately 46% of Nigeria’s GDP, constitute the vast majority of registered businesses, and account for most employment across both rural and urban communities. They are essential to national stability, recovery, and growth. Delta State has been no exception—here, we have seen vision translate into real, measurable value for local enterprises.
Yet, the mandate before us requires deeper, more coordinated effort. To consistently turn vision into sustained value, our collective agenda must advance along four strategic pillars:
- Finance That Fits
- Market Access & Value Addition
- Digital & Skills Acquisition
- Regulatory Support & Strategic Partnerships
As we deliberate today, I urge every participant—policy makers, investors, platform creators, enterprise support organisations, and entrepreneurs—to commit to at least one actionable outcome: a pilot financing product, a market linkage agreement, or a skills-building cohort in a priority sector. Because small, practical steps—executed consistently—create compounded value.
I also bring encouraging news from Africa’s SME community: 125 million SMEs across the continent are rallying behind the $1.4 billion Continental SME Fund, known as #UbuntuSusu. This fund is a bold statement that Africa’s SMEs are taking their financial destiny into their own hands. It promises to become a continental economic revolution within the AfCFTA era—unlocking borderless markets and leveraging a combined GDP of over $3.6 trillion, while advancing Aspiration 1 of the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
On behalf of all partners committed to enterprise development, we commend the Delta State MSME Development Agency (DEMSMEDA) for convening this summit. We anticipate practical outcomes, strengthened partnerships, and clearly defined action points that will accelerate the journey of MSMEs from vision to sustained value.
Finally, the All Africa Association for Small and Medium Enterprises (AAASME) looks forward to the following short-, medium-, and long-term deliverables emerging from this summit:
i. A comprehensive SME Development Blueprint for Delta State
ii. An upgraded and fully functional MSME database for the state
iii. A voluntary $1 pledge by SMEs in Delta State toward the #UbuntuSusu Continental SME FundMay God bless Delta State.
May God bless the MSME ecosystem.
May God bless Africa.Thank you.”
Our Take
The 1st Delta State MSME Summit marked a significant step toward strengthening enterprise development within the state and advancing the broader African MSME ecosystem. AAASME reaffirms its commitment to supporting initiatives that promote innovation, access to finance, market expansion, skills acquisition, and cross-sector collaboration.
Dr. Eradiri’s message underscores a renewed dedication to ensuring that African MSMEs transition from vision to sustained, scalable value—positioning them at the centre of economic transformation across the continent.
AAASME looks forward to continued partnerships and the realisation of the deliverables highlighted at the summit as we collectively build a stronger, more competitive MSME landscape for Africa.
