500 SMEs TO PARTICIPATE AS LAGOS FIXES DECEMBER 14 FOR EKO ROUND CITY TRADE FAIR

The Lagos State Government has announced that the second edition of the Lagos MSME Exclusive and Eko Round City Trade Fair will take place from December 14 to 20, 2026, at the National Stadium, Lagos.

The event, organised by the Ministry of Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment (MCCTI), is expected to feature 500 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), providing opportunities for business expansion, increased patronage and access to local and international markets.

The initiative builds on the maiden edition held from December 8 to 14, 2025, and forms part of the state government’s efforts to promote grassroots enterprise development, inclusive economic growth and the visibility of locally made goods and services under its T.H.E.M.E.S Plus Agenda.

Speaking at a meeting convened by the ministry on behalf of the Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Hon. Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, the Director of Commerce, Mr. Segun Alogba, said the programme was designed to connect small businesses with markets, buyers and investors.

Alogba commended the state government for its efforts during the inaugural edition, describing the initiative as a significant step towards strengthening Lagos State’s economic development.

He noted that the maiden event lasted seven days and said improved measures had been introduced to ensure broader participation across different sectors and communities for the success of the second edition.

According to the Secretary of Surulere Fiesta and member of the project’s coordinating committee, Hon. Ibrahim Alli-Balogun, the Eko Round City initiative combines a trade fair with a musical jamboree.

The trade fair will feature exhibitors from 13 Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas (LGAs and LCDAs) across Lagos State, showcasing their products and services at the National Stadium.

The seven-day event will also feature musical performances by prominent artistes throughout the festival, alongside a funfair centre designed to provide entertainment for children.

A total of 500 Lagos-based SMEs are expected to participate, with businesses registered through the Ministry of Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment and participating LGAs and LCDAs showcasing their products to potential customers and investors.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Trade Fair Eko Round City Season 2, Mr. Omotayo Ogunlade, said the coordinating teams from the ministry and the local councils would work together through regular meetings to ensure effective planning and management.

He explained that the event’s logistics and marketing strategy would focus on trade clusters, bringing together market leaders, local government and council development area chairmen, industry leaders and entrepreneurs in manufacturing, food production and energy production.

Ogunlade added that the clustering approach was intended to position exhibitors before relevant buyers, distributors and investors, helping businesses translate product visibility into actual sales and commercial partnerships.

He noted that the initiative was designed to provide emerging businesses with an accessible platform to attract customers, expand their reach and explore new commercial opportunities.

Interested businesses can obtain registration forms through their respective LGAs and LCDAs, while SMEs already registered with the Ministry of Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment are also eligible to participate.

The Lagos State Government said the initiative reflects its continued commitment to supporting small businesses, strengthening local commerce and creating opportunities for entrepreneurs to contribute to the state’s economic growth.