By Adenike Lawal
To fuel economic expansion in the nation’s capital, the Federal Capital Territory Administration is preparing to convert the Abuja SME Expo into a more frequent event, moving away from its current annual format.
Speaking at the opening of this year’s edition in Abuja, Acting Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Abuja Enterprise Agency, Dr. Chudi Ugwuada-Ezirigwe, said the event could become quarterly or at least biannual.
According to Emmanuel Tortiv, Head of Corporate Communications at AEA, the plan reflects a broader commitment to economic inclusion and industrial development.
“The Expo has become a critical driver of economic development and can no longer remain an annual event,” Ugwuada-Ezirigwe stated. “There’s a clear consensus among stakeholders, we need to multiply opportunities for small businesses to thrive by giving them more platforms to engage, connect, and grow.”
Held under the theme “Leveraging Financial Opportunities and Strategies to Mobilise Funding for Sustainable Growth,” this year’s Expo ties into President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, highlighting access to funding and strategic alliances for entrepreneurs.
Representing the FCT Head of Civil Service, Grace Adayilo, her personal assistant, Olaide Genevieve Yongo, praised the AEA for consistently championing SME-centered programs. She described the Expo as a practical platform advancing the ease of doing business, crediting initiatives like FCT-CARES, One Village One Product, and Rural Skills Acquisition schemes.
“This Expo is more than a funding platform,” she noted. “It offers SMEs an invaluable opportunity to build networks, attract partners, and plug into distribution and export channels.”
The event also received support from top FCT officials including Minister Nyesom Wike and Minister of State Dr. Mariya Mahmoud.
Key stakeholders such as David Opeyemi Oke of the World Trade Center Abuja delivered the keynote address, while agencies like NAFDAC and NASENI reinforced the collaborative energy at the Expo.
Launched in 2016, the Abuja SME Expo has grown into a vital platform for entrepreneurship, hosting over 1,200 businesses and attracting more than 11,000 attendees.
This year’s edition featured expert panels, advisory sessions, and targeted clinics designed to equip entrepreneurs with tools for scalable growth.
As talks advance to increase the frequency of the Expo, stakeholders believe the shift could transform Abuja’s business environment, multiplying economic returns and strengthening the SME value chain.
