The Federal Government of Nigeria, in collaboration with Canada and the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), has initiated the Trade for Resilient, Inclusive and Sustainable Economic Growth (TRISEG) Project. This project aims to enhance Nigeria's export ecosystem, enabling small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to access regional and international markets more effectively. The TRISEG Project is a five-year initiative, funded by Global Affairs Canada and implemented by the Trade Facilitation Office (TFO) Canada, running from 2025 to 2030 across 16 developing countries.
The TRISEG Project will directly target 200 SMEs in Nigeria, with a focus on those owned or led by women and under-represented groups, which make up 67 per cent of the target SMEs. The project was launched in Abuja alongside a stakeholder validation workshop on Nigeria's Export Market Analysis and Institutional Capacity Assessment. This workshop aimed to identify barriers limiting Nigerian SMEs, gaps requiring institutional reform and capacity building, financing constraints, and areas where digitalisation could improve competitiveness.
President of ACCI, Chief Emeka Obegolu, SAN, emphasized that the TRISEG Project would strengthen both the institutions supporting businesses and the capacity of enterprises to compete in local, regional, and international markets. He noted that Nigerian SMEs have the potential to compete globally but face practical constraints, including limited access to markets, finance, digital resources, and institutional support. Obegolu also highlighted the project's Climate Resilience Fund, which will provide technical assistance, digital resources, training, and support for investment plans aimed at environmental sustainability and climate resilience.
Representing the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Chris Osa Isokpunwu, stressed that Nigeria's trade strategy must move beyond increasing export volumes to strengthening the capacity of businesses to produce competitively, meet international standards, and access the right markets. He cited Nigeria's implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the Nigeria East-Southern Africa Agro Corridor, and the Nigeria Trade Information Portal as part of efforts to strengthen the country's trade infrastructure.
The Permanent Secretary urged attention to MSMEs, women-owned businesses, and other underserved enterprises, which often face disproportionate barriers to finance, certification, technology, logistics, and international markets. He also emphasized the need for reliable market intelligence, efficient trade procedures, standards and certification, finance, logistics, digital infrastructure, and responsive institutions. Isokpunwu urged participants to "speak truth to government" and ensure that the exercise moves from recommendations to measurable results.
The Acting Chargé d’Affaires, Counsellor and Head of Development Cooperation at the High Commission of Canada, Arash Iratana, stated that Canada is supporting Nigerian enterprises to become more competitive, resilient, and export-ready. He noted that the project would combine capacity building, market connections, digital capabilities, and climate resilience, with particular attention to women-owned and women-led businesses. Iratana emphasized that helping Nigerian businesses secure new buyers and enter new markets would generate jobs, strengthen local supply chains, and deepen commercial ties between Nigeria and Canada.
A representative of the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) called for stronger regulatory capacity, funding for testing and conformity assessments, improved infrastructure, and greater access to internationally recognised laboratories. He stressed closer collaboration between regulators and the private sector, saying exporters' experiences should inform regulatory reforms and institutional capacity-building programmes. The TRISEG Project was subsequently launched by the Permanent Secretary on behalf of the Minister, with representatives of government agencies, business organisations, development partners, and women-focused groups participating.
Key points
- The TRISEG Project aims to enhance Nigeria's export ecosystem, enabling small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to access regional and international markets more effectively.
- The project will directly target 200 SMEs in Nigeria, with a focus on those owned or led by women and under-represented groups.
- The TRISEG Project is a five-year initiative, funded by Global Affairs Canada and implemented by the Trade Facilitation Office (TFO) Canada, running from 2025 to 2030 across 16 developing countries.
