The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) is bringing Nigerian entrepreneurs, business experts, policymakers, investors and other stakeholders together for its National MSME Conference, a platform designed to give small business owners a voice and provide opportunities to learn, network and engage with people shaping the business environment in Nigeria.
The third edition of the conference, organised under the GROW Nigerian initiative, is holding from November 8 to 10, 2026, at the Ecobank Pan African Centre (EPAC), Victoria Island, Lagos.
With the theme “The Next Frontier for Innovation, Policy and Market Access,” the conference is focusing on some of the major issues affecting micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), including access to finance, business regulations, digital adoption, market expansion and workforce development.
According to SMEDAN, the idea behind the conference is to create a room where Nigeria’s small business owners can be heard, learn from experts and meet the people who make decisions that shape their businesses.
About the SMEDAN National MSME Conference
The SMEDAN National MSME Conference is an annual gathering that brings together entrepreneurs and key stakeholders in Nigeria’s MSME ecosystem to discuss issues affecting small businesses and explore practical ways to support their growth.
The conference started in Abuja in 2024 before moving to Lagos in 2025.
The 2025 edition attracted more than 2,000 delegates, featured 112 exhibiting businesses and saw the award of ₦18 million in grants to entrepreneurs.
For the 2026 edition, SMEDAN has expanded the event into a three-day gathering featuring five thematic tracks, seven rooms, more than 90 speakers and voices, and 156 exhibitors.
The conference provides a platform for business owners to interact with industry experts, government representatives, financial institutions and other organisations that can help address challenges affecting their businesses.
Theme of the SMEDAN National MSME Conference 2026
The theme of the 2026 conference is “The Next Frontier for Innovation, Policy and Market Access.”
The theme focuses on three important areas that can influence the growth and competitiveness of Nigerian small businesses.
1. Innovation
This focuses on how businesses can adopt digital payments, online sales platforms and emerging technologies to improve their operations, reach more customers, increase sales and reduce operating costs.
2. Policy
This addresses government policies, business registration, taxation, regulations, incentives and other issues that determine how easy or difficult it is to operate a business in Nigeria.
It also provides an opportunity for entrepreneurs to engage with policymakers and communicate the challenges they face while running their businesses.
3. Market Access
This focuses on helping Nigerian businesses reach new customers, enter new markets, expand distribution networks and explore opportunities to sell beyond their immediate locations, including international markets.
Five Key Areas of Discussion at the Conference
The conference features five major thematic tracks designed to address different aspects of MSME development.
These include:
- Finance and Capital Access: Discussions around working capital, business credit, grants, financing options and other ways small businesses can access the money they need to grow.
- Markets and Export Readiness: Helping businesses understand distribution, market expansion, export opportunities and how to reach customers beyond their immediate locations.
- Policy and Business Environment: Examining taxation, permits, regulations, incentives and government policies affecting business operations.
- Digital Adoption and Technology: Exploring digital payments, online storefronts, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and technology solutions that can improve business efficiency.
- Workforce Solutions: Addressing recruitment, talent development, apprenticeships, employee skills and other workforce-related issues affecting small businesses.
The discussions take place across seven rooms, with different session formats designed to encourage conversations, practical learning and engagement.
High-Profile Speakers and Government Representatives
The SMEDAN National MSME Conference brings together prominent government officials, business leaders, entrepreneurs and industry experts.
The official conference website lists President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas among the guests of honour.
Other notable personalities featured on the conference speaker lineup include:
- Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos State.
- Charles Odii, Director-General and CEO of SMEDAN.
- John Owan Enoh, Minister of State for Industry.
- Adewale Tinubu, Group Chief Executive of Oando PLC.
- Wale Tinubu, listed in the conference programme as a keynote speaker.
Their involvement reflects the conference’s focus on bringing together the public and private sector stakeholders whose decisions, expertise and activities influence the Nigerian business environment.
SMEDAN Nigeria First Fair: Showcasing Nigerian Businesses
Another major attraction of the SMEDAN National MSME Conference is the Nigeria First Fair, a marketplace created to showcase Nigerian-owned businesses and locally produced goods.
The SMEDAN trade fair runs alongside the conference from November 8 to 10, 2026, at the Ecobank Pan African Centre in Lagos.
It features 156 businesses, with 137 indoor exhibition booths and 19 outdoor food vendors.
Participating businesses showcase products and services across different categories, including:
- Fashion and textiles.
- Fashion accessories.
- Food and beverages.
- Beauty and wellness.
- Digital and technology products.
- Agriculture and materials.
- Crafts and homeware.
The fair gives participating businesses an opportunity to display their products, sell directly to customers, increase brand visibility and interact with potential buyers.
Members of the public can also attend the Nigeria First Fair to discover Nigerian brands, shop for locally made products and support small businesses.
Entry to the fair is free.
Zero to 100 Pitch Competition: ₦30 Million Grant Pool
The conference also features the Zero to 100 Pitch Competition, a business pitching initiative designed to identify promising Nigerian businesses and provide financial support to entrepreneurs.
The competition has a ₦30 million grant pool to be shared among three winning businesses.
The prize distribution is as follows:
| Position | Prize |
|---|---|
| First place | ₦15 million |
| Second place | ₦10 million |
| Third place | ₦5 million |
| Total | ₦30 million |
Following the application and shortlisting process, 10 businesses are scheduled to participate in the semi-finals on November 9, with five advancing to the final on November 10.
The three winners are expected to receive their grants during the final award presentation.
The pitch competition is part of SMEDAN’s efforts to support promising entrepreneurs with funding that can help them develop and expand their businesses. You can also read about the SMEDAN N100 Million Entrepreneur Fund to learn more about the agency’s funding initiative for small business owners in Nigeria.
Applications for the 2026 competition have closed. Interested entrepreneurs can visit the official pitch competition page for information about the initiative and future editions.
When and Where Is the SMEDAN National MSME Conference Holding?
The 2026 SMEDAN National MSME Conference is holding at the following location:
Venue: Ecobank Pan African Centre (EPAC)
Address: 270/270B Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria.
Dates: November 8–10, 2026.
Admission: Free.
The conference is also being streamed online, allowing people who cannot attend physically to follow the main-stage sessions from anywhere.
How to Register for the SMEDAN National MSME Conference 2026
Registration for the SMEDAN National MSME Conference is free.
Interested entrepreneurs, business owners, industry professionals and members of the public can visit the official conference website to register and access information about the programme, speakers, exhibition and other activities.
Visit: https://conference.smedan.gov.ng/
You can also use the website to:
- View the conference programme and schedule.
- Check the list of speakers and guests.
- Explore the Nigeria First Fair and participating exhibitors.
- Access information about the Zero to 100 Pitch Competition.
- Watch the conference live online.
Final Thoughts
The SMEDAN National MSME Conference is more than a gathering of entrepreneurs. It is an opportunity for Nigerian small business owners to have conversations that matter, learn from people with relevant experience and engage with stakeholders whose decisions can influence how businesses operate and grow.
For entrepreneurs who often struggle with access to finance, business regulations, technology adoption, market expansion and other operational challenges, having a platform where these issues can be discussed with the right people is important.
By bringing business owners, policymakers, experts, financial institutions and other stakeholders into the same room, SMEDAN is creating an avenue for conversations that can help shape the future of micro, small and medium enterprises in Nigeria.
For more information about the conference, registration and activities, visit the official website at https://conference.smedan.gov.ng/.
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