Over 1000 young professionals across the Niger Delta region will, on June 27, converge in Port Harcourt, Rivers State for the 4th Niger Delta MSME Summit and Bootcamp.

The event, which is an initiative of the Niger Delta Young Professionals (NDYP) is strategic, as it coincides with the 2024 United Nations World MSME Day.

The World MSME Day is specially marked to create a platform to discuss and exchange ideas on how key stakeholders, including policy makers, large companies, financial institutions, and the international community can support micro-, small and medium-sized businesses to advance the 2030 Agenda and contribute to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including poverty eradication and decent work for all.

The convener of the summit, Moses Siloko Siasia, in a statement on Wednesday, said that this year’s theme is : ‘Building a Culture of Entrepreneurship and Self-reliance Beyond Oil adding that the Summit/Bootcamp is a sustained initiative that has been creating enormous opportunities and growth for young MSME owners in Nigeria’s oil-rich Niger Delta region.

Siasia said the event was specially designed to bring together a cross-section of economists, policymakers, and business development experts who will examine the critical role of MSME in the overall development of the economy.

He noted that despite lack of support from governments of the region, poor management of MSMEs, high-interest loans from banks, corruption, and inadequate infrastructure, the initiative has pulled through with sustainable impacts over the years.

Leading the pack of speakers this year is Mr. Summy Smart Francis, the President of Africa’s Young Entrepreneurs (A.Y.E.).

Other speakers include Engr. Temitope Runsewe, the CEO of Dutum Company Limited; Mrs. Esther F. Adebayo, President of the Women Agro Processors, Agricgen, and Exporters Initiative (WAPAGEIN); Mr. Otuya Okecha, MD/CEO Firbesol Nigeria Limited; Dr. Martins Fregene, Director of Agriculture, African Development Bank, among others.

According to Siasia, the summit is expected to “ignite the next generation through expanding entrepreneurial culture in the Niger Delta region.”

He said participants for the summit will be drawn from the nine states of the Niger Delta region, adding that the past editions produced positive results which he noted is an indication of the secured future of entrepreneurs in the oil-rich region.

The organisers noted that beneficiaries of past editions, many of whom have received grants to grow their businesses, have been able to grow a huge business capital and create employment opportunities for other prospective MSMEs.

At the inaugural edition of the summit held in 2021 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, over 400 Niger Deltans benefited from the NIRSAL Intervention Loan for small business owners in the area of Agriculture, Creative Industry and ICT.

Also, the NDYP gave out grants to innovative businesses. The second edition was held in Asaba, Delta State in 2022, and the third edition followed suit in 2023 in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State.

Among many other highpoints, this year’s event will feature Product Exhibitions, Grants, Bootcamp, Main-stage keynotes, Panel Discussions, Interactive Master Sessions, Style Breakout, Business-to-Business Meetings, Mentoring Sessions, Networking Opportunities featuring outstanding line-up of successful Entrepreneurs, Innovators, Strategists and Business Leaders from top brands.

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