The German Agency for International Cooperation, Sustainable Economic Development in Nigeria (GIZ-SEDIN), has pledged technical support for Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) investments in Nigeria.
Mr Markus Wauschkuhn, Head of GIZ-SEDIN programme, made the pledge at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the organisation and the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) on Tuesday in Abuja.
Wauschkuhn said that the GIZ-SEDIN was ready to provide NIPC with technical support in the areas of capacity building on investment, especially for small businesses and startups, amongst others.
“GIZ-SEDIN will support in the facilitation and promotion of investment, organisation of national conference on investment for states, review of the compendium of investment incentives, improving the contents of the NIPC’s book of states.
“Facilitating linkages between Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and investors to support the development of framework for franchising industry in Nigeria,“ he said.
He said that the goal of the partnership was to build the capacities of partner state through development and standardisation of state-based incentives, peer-learning and improvement of after care services.
Wauschkuhn said that the support would aid NIPC in developing national strategies and policies and also in the up-scaling of inclusive business model in Nigeria.
Ms Aisha Rimi, Executive Secretary, Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), commended GIZ-SEDIN for its consistent support in improving the business climate at the national and sub-national levels in Nigeria.
Rimi said that GIZ-SEDIN had helped in facilitating improved agriculture value-chains that strengthens income, employment and food security of small-holder farmers in Nigeria which she said was commendable.
According to her, the MoU by both organisations was timely and an additional commitment of the GIZ-SEDIN to NIPC in realising and achieving some of its primary goals and objectives.
“As detailed in the MoU, the goals of the partnership is to improve the institutional framework and capacity of investment promotion institutions in Nigeria.
“To facilitate private investment into national and state economies for economic growth, MSMEs development and increased income and employment,“ she said.
She added that the MoU scope would focus on key areas to improve investment facilitation in Nigeria and particularly in the SEDIN partner states of Niger, Plateau, Ogun, Edo, and Lagos.
Rimi commended GIZ-SEDIN programme in Nigeria for its achievements and prayed for continued support for the growth of businesses and investments in the country.
