Nigeria’s estimated $158 billion annual financing gap for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) has come into focus as MTN Nigeria and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) deepen their collaboration through the mySMEville platform. The initiative is designed to improve access to finance, infrastructure, markets, and digital business support for small enterprises across the country.
According to the partners, more than 2,600 MSMEs had been onboarded onto the platform as of May 2026, representing significant growth from an initial pilot programme involving about 200 businesses launched in December 2025. The platform aims to support Nigeria’s nearly 40 million MSMEs, which contribute roughly 48% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Built around four key pillars; information, funding, infrastructure, and markets, mySMEville seeks to address some of the major barriers limiting the growth and competitiveness of Nigerian small businesses. The platform connects entrepreneurs with financing opportunities, digital tools, solar-powered infrastructure solutions, e-commerce channels, and business development resources.
Chief Enterprise Business Officer at MTN Nigeria, Lynda Saint-Nwafor, said the company remains committed to providing technology-driven solutions that help African enterprises scale and compete more effectively. She noted that inclusive digital ecosystems are essential for sustainable economic growth across the continent.
Director-General of SMEDAN, Charles Odii, described the initiative as an example of how public-private partnerships can accelerate enterprise development and strengthen entrepreneurship ecosystems. He said the collaboration demonstrates the role of strategic partnerships in addressing structural challenges facing small businesses.
The impact of the programme has attracted international attention. A delegation from Angola’s National Institute of Support for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises recently visited Nigeria to study the MTN-SMEDAN model and explore how similar initiatives could be adapted to support entrepreneurship and MSME growth in Angola.
Industry experts note that access to affordable financing remains one of the biggest obstacles facing Nigerian SMEs. Improved access to capital, digital services, and market opportunities could help businesses expand operations, create jobs, and contribute more significantly to economic diversification efforts.
The MTN-SMEDAN partnership comes amid broader efforts by both public and private sector stakeholders to strengthen Nigeria’s MSME ecosystem, improve financial inclusion, and support enterprise-led economic growth.
