A significant boost has been given to 3,000 cluster-based Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Anambra State, thanks to a N300 million grant provided through a partnership between the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Each of the selected businesses from the state’s three senatorial districts will receive N100,000 to support their growth and mitigate the challenges facing small enterprises in the current economic climate.
The grant, supervised by the Anambra State Small Business Agency (ASBA), aims to bolster the local economy and prevent the collapse of struggling businesses. Mrs. Grace Arinze, leading the UNDP’s monitoring and evaluation team, emphasized the importance of ensuring the funds reach the intended beneficiaries and encouraged participants to engage fully in the accompanying training programs to enhance their global competitiveness.
ASBA’s Managing Director and CEO, Sir Clem Chukwuka, credited Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s proactive governance and economic strategies for Anambra’s inclusion in this initiative. He highlighted the strategic selection of cluster-based businesses from across the senatorial districts to maximize impact and support those most in need.
To ensure the program’s success, the training is divided into two groups, focusing on essential skills such as Digital Literacy, Financial Performance, and Business and Product Development. Project Manager Mr. Fortune Tamunokuro expressed satisfaction with the high level of enthusiasm and participation from the beneficiaries, acknowledging the critical support from the state government, EU, and UNDP.
Beneficiaries such as Ngozi Ume, a fashion designer, Leo Imoka, a rice farmer, and Chukwudi Obiano, a poultry farmer, expressed gratitude for the financial and educational support, which they received at no cost. They praised the Soludo administration, the EU, and the UNDP for their commitment to uplifting MSMEs in Anambra State.
