By Grace Alegba

Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme (GEF-SGP) has empowered the International Trade Facilitators Association (ITFA) and its partners to train nature-positive Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the nation.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the official launch and training workshop on “Nature-Positive MSMEs in Nigeria” was held at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Innovation Centre in Lagos.

The pilot training for 60 participants by ITFA was executed through the “Support to Potential and Existing Nature Positive MSMEs (SPENM) Programme.”

Mr Collins Ezeiruaku, Trade Ambassador, ITFA, explained the concept of the Support to Potential and Existing Nature-Positive MSMEs (SPENM) Programme, which he noted focuses on people, planet, and profits.

Speaking at the inaugural session, Ezeiruaku commended the entrepreneurs, innovators, and organisations in attendance for their commitment to making a positive impact on both the environment and communities.

He said the programme is a unique and powerful initiative organised by ITFA with funding from the GEF-SGP and expert implementation by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

He explained the vision of SPENM had helped MSMEs to grow beyond receiving grants to building resilient, sustainable social enterprises.

He said the programme aimed to equip participants with knowledge to build models that generate profit while addressing critical environmental and social challenges for a long time.

Ezeiruaku explained benefits for participants to include knowledge and tools to be able to create robust, sustainable business models; mastery of fair trade principles and certifications; and global visibility on the ITFA directory.

He added that participants will also have access to continuous coaching support after the workshop to navigate challenges and to build sustainable enterprises.

Mrs Ibironke Olubamise, National Coordinator, GEF SGP UNDP, making a slide presentation, explained that GEF SGP is a UNDP programme.

Olubamise said the UNDP GEF SGP had supported over 200 projects in more than 200 communities in 30 states in Nigeria, with the environment-friendly products being enjoyed locally and also exported to various countries.

She said businesses were groomed to adopt social enterprise to make profits that prioritise the environment.

According to her, the GEF SGP goal in Nigeria is to become the rallying point for community conservation, climate mitigation and adaptation, and the source for environmental information for policy and business development.

She said 60 participants were at the workshop, adding that GEF SGP is in over 150 countries and Nigeria is one of the biggest in the world.

Joanna Mia, Deputy Director, Taipei Trade Office in Nigeria, called for trade collaboration between Taiwan and Nigeria.

She said in Taiwan, 98.88 per cent of businesses are MSMEs, with 42 per cent of them women-led, while explaining the enormous opportunities and potentials of Nigerian small businesses.

She explained trade similarities and how her country’s supported MSMEs engaged in the global supply chains but adopted digital transition and net-zero policies in line with social enterprise principles.

One of the participants, Mrs Lucy Borishade, owner of a rice and potatoes flour processing and packaging company from Ekiti State, said she would increase her local and export volumes with enhanced capacity from the workshop.

Borishade said she would leverage the three categories of grants to expand her food processing capacity, reduce reliance on imports, as well as train and employ more youths. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Olawunmi Ashafa