SMEs: FG LAUNCHES NATIONAL INNOVATION ENTREPRENEURSHIP ECOSYSTEM
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In an effort to promote innovation and assist SMEs and startups nationwide, the Federal Government has established the National Cleantech Innovation Entrepreneurship Ecosystem (CIEE).
The Global Cleantech Innovation Programme (GCIP) Nigeria, a UNIDO-led project with support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), organized the launch event in Abuja.
Chief Uche Nnaji, the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, highlighted the transformative potential of the CIEE, stating, “The launch of the CIEE is a testament to our commitment to supporting emerging SMEs offering innovative Cleantech solutions, driving Nigeria’s economic development, enhancing renewable energy access, and contributing to broader climate change actions.”
Nnaji talked about the difficulties these businesses encountered, such as a lackluster innovation ecosystem, few funding options, and inadequate legislative and regulatory backing.
He underlined the three pillars of the GCIP framework: creating scalable businesses from early-stage Cleantech solutions, bolstering the Cleantech innovation ecosystem, and guaranteeing efficient project management.
In the first phase of the project, three cycles of the GCIP Nigeria Accelerator were run in addition to providing technical help. With assistance from UNIDO, the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology (FMIST) is now in charge of Component 2. This component seeks to ensure gender and youth participation, formulate policies, foster collaborations, and strengthen the institutional capacity of CIEE players.
Dr. Uchenna Chukwu, the Director-General of the National Board for Technological Incubation (NBTI), emphasized the value of creative entrepreneurship for wealth generation, technological commercialization, and maintaining competitiveness in the global market.
He emphasized how NBTI’s technological incubation centers help businesses by offering them resources and assistance.
Mr. Oluyomi Banjo, the national program coordinator for environment and energy at UNIDO, stressed the importance of cleantech in Nigeria and the role that CIEE plays in fostering an environment that is conducive to the growth of these businesses. He cited the accomplishments of Nigerian SMEs in garnering international recognition as evidence of the nation’s promise.
Banjo reiterated UNIDO’s commitment to promoting equitable and sustainable industrial development and conveyed gratitude to the Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology for their commitment to advancing cleantech in Nigeria.
In the end, the CIEE seeks to provide a national platform for networking and exchanging lessons gained by improving knowledge generation, developing capacity, creating an innovation strategy in line with Nigeria’s climate goals, and establishing a cleantech delivery framework.
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