SMEDAN launches Business Pitch Competition for Women-led Businesses

A new initiative ‘SMEDAN Speed Pitch’ has been announced by Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN). The 1^st edition of the competition shall take place at Eko Convention Center in Lagos on May 1, 2024. It will be hosted by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Entrepreneurship and Innovation/Digital Economy, Engr. Jennifer Adighije as part of the NSME Engagement Series.

This initiative is a business pitch competition which has been designed to enhance financial literacy in addition to providing opportunities to access funds for growth to women-led businesses.

According to the management of the agency’s statement, the participants of the competition shall get training along with assistance to articulate unique business innovations, viability, and potential to unlock opportunities that includes private investments within the country and worldwide.

The DG of SMEDAN, Charles Odii also stated that this competition is a part of SMEDAN’s ‘GROW Nigerian’ strategy that has its key focus to provide SMEs with financial and non-financial resources in order to boost local production that includes markets, knowledge, mentorship, and tools, to grow sustainably and spread prosperity.

The criteria to participate in the competition includes female-led businesses which are registered and has been in operation for last 3 years. The application opened on April 24 and will last upto April 27.