Vice President Shettima attends opening of 4th AU MSME Forum in Abuja

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By Kunle Sanni –

Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived at the State House Conference Centre to officially declare open the 4th African Union (AU) Annual Micro, Small, and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs) Forum.

This year’s forum, themed “Building Resilient MSMEs through Digital Innovation, Market Access & Affordable Financing for Africa,” is scheduled to run from Monday, June 23 to Friday, June 27, 2025.

Jointly organized by the AU’s Department of Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals (ETTIM) and the Federal Government of Nigeria, the forum convenes policymakers, financial institutions, development partners, and entrepreneurs from across the continent to address persistent challenges facing MSMEs.

Key discussions will center on expanding access to finance, improving market opportunities, promoting digital transformation, and supporting women- and youth-led enterprises.

The forum also highlights opportunities for regional integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

An inter-ministerial committee, coordinated by the Office of the Vice President, is overseeing the event’s organization.

The committee is chaired by Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, while Mr. Temitope Adekunle-Johnson, Special Adviser to the President on Job Creation and MSMEs, serves as the committee’s secretary.