NECA Hosts 2025 MSMEs Fair To Boost Economic Stability

The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) is set to host the 2025 edition of its annual micro small and medium –sized enterprises (MSMEs) Fair on May 6 at NECA House, Lagos, in a move to accelerate small business growth and foster a more enabling regulatory environment in Nigeria.

Under the theme: ‘Galvanising MSMEs for Economic Growth and Stability,’ the event will bring together entrepreneurs, regulators, financiers, and business leaders to address key challenges facing MSMEs and offer practical tools for sustainable development.

Announcing the fair, Mr. Adewale Smatt Oyerinde, Director-General (DG) of NECA, highlighted the importance of MSMEs as “the lifeblood of Nigeria’s economy,” noting that the fair is designed to equip entrepreneurs with actionable insights to scale operations, navigate regulatory complexities, and improve resilience in a volatile economic landscape.

He noted that this year’s edition would feature a keynote address by Mrs Adenike Adeyemi, CEO of FATE Foundation, who is widely recognised for her advocacy in MSME development. Her address is expected to deliver transformative strategies that address access to finance, business innovation, and structural barriers limiting growth.

He mentioned that a key highlight of the fair would be its interactive regulatory sessions, where entrepreneurs would engage directly with government agencies responsible for compliance, licensing, taxation, and business registration. The sessions aim to simplify bureaucratic processes and improve regulatory alignment with the realities of MSMEs.

In addition to policy dialogues, the DG stated that the fair would feature exhibitions, giving businesses a platform to showcase their products and services, attract investor interest, and expand market reach. NECA said that attendees would also access curated sessions on digital transformation, funding mechanisms, and long-term strategies for business sustainability.

NECA reaffirmed that the fair aligns with its broader mandate of supporting enterprise growth, driving innovation, and ensuring long-term economic resilience.

“By empowering MSMEs with the right support and information, we are stimulating job creation and safeguarding Nigeria’s economic future,” the organisation stated.

The 2025 MSME Fair is expected to attract a cross-section of Nigeria’s business ecosystem, including financial institutions, digital solution providers, government stakeholders, and advocacy groups, all united by a shared vision to strengthen the country’s entrepreneurial backbone.