By Abubakar Yunusa
The German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) has reaffirmed that supporting sustainable economic development and job creation remains a key priority in Nigeria, adding that it will continue to prioritise the sector.
Dr Markus Wagner, Country Director of GIZ Nigeria and ECOWAS, stated this at the launch of the ICSS4All programme in Abuja on Tuesday.
The Inspire–Create–Start–Scale (ICSS) initiative is an entrepreneurship development programme designed to support Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) from ideation through growth to market access.
It is implemented by GIZ in collaboration with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) and the Kaduna Business School, through GOPA Consultancy.
Wagner said SMEs remain central to Nigeria’s economy, stressing the need for stronger collaboration across institutions to build enabling systems for enterprise growth.
“Small and medium-sized enterprises, as you know, are the backbone of Nigeria’s economy,” he said.
“This means working hand in hand with public institutions, ecosystem organisations, and the private sector to create practical systems such as ICSS that truly enable entrepreneurs to grow.
“They drive innovation, they create jobs, and they strengthen the economic resilience of this country,” he added.
Wagner noted that many entrepreneurs still face barriers, particularly in accessing structured support and affordable finance, adding that ICSS was designed to bridge the gap.
“ICSS offers a practical end-to-end approach from idea to business creation and growth through to scaling viable enterprises,” he said.
He disclosed that more than 42,000 people have so far been reached under the programme, with over 60 per cent being women across six states.
“So ladies, this is not only scale. It is economic empowerment, and it is inclusion,” he said.
Wagner described ICSS4All as a shared commitment to strengthening entrepreneurship through better coordination of systems, adding that GIZ remains focused on supporting and connecting businesses to thrive.
“To the entrepreneurs here today, your ideas and your determination are essential and are the foundation for Nigeria’s future,” he said.
Also speaking, the Director-General of SMEDAN, Charles Odili, urged stakeholders to adopt the programme across states and deepen its integration within the wider enterprise ecosystem.
“We are asking them to drive the adoption of this policy at the state level among business development service providers and across the wider ecosystem,” he said.
“The ICSS learning platform delivers the full curriculum digitally, opening programmes to entrepreneurs across every part of Nigeria, regardless of their geographical location,” he added.
On her part, ActionAid Nigeria Deputy Director, Suwaiba Muhammad Dankabo, commended GIZ for convening stakeholders to promote inclusive enterprise development.
“It is not just about survival, it is about purpose and resilience,” she said.
She noted that ActionAid, under the Reconnect Project with GIZ, had supported economic reintegration and enterprise development across several states.
According to her, about 4,000 beneficiaries were trained in Adamawa, Edo, Ebonyi and other communities, describing them as empowered entrepreneurs with practical skills for the market.
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