NEPC trains SMEs, MSMEs in Kano to boost export readiness  

The Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC) says it is committed to building the capacity of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to make them export-ready.

Hajiya Amina Abdulmalik, North West Regional Coordinator NEPC, stated this on Thursday in Kano at the Export Competency Development Workshop for SMEs and MSMEs.

She said the workshop was designed to prepare exporters with the knowledge and skills required to take their produce beyond the shores of Nigeria.

“The essence of organizing this workshop is to prepare our exporters, build their capacity, and make them ready to export. By the end of this workshop, I want to see more than half of the participants export-ready,” Abdulmalik said.

She explained that once exporters are able to formally export their products, Nigeria’s trade volume would increase, thereby contributing positively to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

According to her, support for exporters depends on the type of product being exported, stressing that working in clusters makes retention and assistance easier.

“A common center, perhaps with machinery, can help them process their products. It is not feasible to provide individual support, except through the Export Expansion Grant (EEG),” she said.

She added that exporters must formally export their products, repatriate proceeds, and maintain proper accounts to benefit from the EEG, which serves as a financial incentive.

Abdulmalik noted that NEPC had also provided certificates such as the Mandatory Development Certificate (MDE) and the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) certificate to participants, especially women.

“These certificates are essential for exporting to Europe and the United States. Without them, individuals would face significant costs, but through our support, many have been able to obtain them,” she said.

Earlier, Alhaji Nura Habib, Vice President of KACCIMA, said this at the Export Competency Development Workshop in Kano, describing the programme as an opportunity to reposition enterprises and compete beyond Nigeria’s borders.

He noted that access to markets begins with access to knowledge, stressing that the workshop would provide insights into procedures, standards, documentation and international expectations.

Habib commended the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) for its dedication to promoting non-oil exports and pledged KACCIMA’s support in expanding Nigeria’s export base.

Speaking also, the Director-General of KACCIMA, Alhaji Tijani Abdullahi, said the workshop was designed to enlighten entrepreneurs on formal export processes and regulations.

“We organized this workshop to guide them on the procedures and rules required for effective export business,” he said, adding that many agribusiness operators in Kano were now conducting exports properly.

Sarki explained that KACCIMA provides information on goods required for export, registration processes and compliance with rules and regulations, noting that the initiative had already yielded positive results.