NASSI to equip SMEs for global markets

NASSI National President, Solomon Vongfa.

The Nigerian Association of Small Scale Industrialists is collaborating with Zamkah Technologies to equip small business owners in Nigeria with the skills, business connections and capacity needed to transform their enterprises into globally competitive brands.

The initiative will feature prominently at the association’s 35th National Convention, scheduled for December 1, 2026, in Abuja, where entrepreneurs are expected to exchange ideas, explore business partnerships and identify opportunities to strengthen domestic production.

NASSI National President, Solomon  Vongfa, disclosed this while speaking with journalists in Abuja on Sunday, describing the convention as a platform to help small business owners build sustainable enterprises and reduce their dependence on government.

He said the gathering would bring entrepreneurs together to discuss practical ways of improving business performance, expanding production and strengthening the contribution of small-scale industries to Nigeria’s economy.

According to Vongfa, the partnership with Zamkah Technologies is part of efforts to prepare local businesses for a more competitive marketplace by improving their capacity to grow beyond their immediate environments.

“The convention is a deliberate platform to interact with small business owners, cross-fertilise ideas and identify areas of collaboration that can strengthen the economy and reduce overdependence on government,” he said.

He added that the engagement would create opportunities for entrepreneurs to establish business alliances, access training and improve their operations through workshops, seminars and other capacity-building programmes.

Vongfa said NASSI would also use the convention to advance discussions on policies and business models capable of making small enterprises more competitive, particularly in an economy where access to finance, skills and reliable business support remains a challenge for many operators.

“As an organisation, one of our key functions is to advocate government policies that make it easier to run small businesses in Nigeria. The convention will explore possible avenues for developing business models that suit individual enterprises and make them competitive,” he added.

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The NASSI President identified access to finance, improved product quality and the development of entrepreneurial skills as critical requirements for building businesses that can compete beyond Nigeria.

He said the association was committed to promoting locally manufactured goods through trade fairs, exhibitions and other platforms that connect producers with potential customers and business partners.

Vongfa said the association’s objectives aligned with the government’s emphasis on domestic production and the promotion of Nigerian products for local consumption and international markets.

“NASSI has taken bold steps in this regard, and we are determined to ensure that Nigeria remains not only the giant of Africa on paper but in reality.

“To achieve this, we must double our efforts in domestic production, improve the quality of our products and ensure that entrepreneurs have access to financing and are mentally equipped for the challenges of business,” he said.

Founded in 1978, NASSI is a non-profit organisation established to promote and support micro, small and medium-sized enterprises across Nigeria. Its activities include advocacy for a more favourable business environment, the promotion of local products and efforts to improve access to finance through partnerships with relevant institutions.

Small businesses are an important part of Nigeria’s economic landscape, contributing to employment, local production and the livelihoods of millions of people. However, many entrepreneurs face difficulties securing affordable financing, acquiring modern business skills and accessing markets beyond their immediate communities.

The proposed convention is expected to provide a platform for addressing some of these challenges through collaboration, knowledge-sharing and stronger business networks.

For NASSI, the broader objective is to encourage a shift from small-scale operations with limited reach to sustainable enterprises capable of creating jobs, improving locally made products and competing in international markets.