Federal Government to Launch MSME Census in 2026, Following $200m Support

The Federal Government has announced plans to conduct a comprehensive National Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Census in 2026, marking a major step toward strengthening data-driven industrial and trade policies.

The initiative, to be led by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, comes on the back of $200 million disbursed in 2025 to more than 115,000 MSMEs and exporters across the country.

According to the ministry’s 2026 outlook, the census is designed to replace broad estimates with verifiable, nationwide data on MSME operators. The government believes this will significantly improve the targeting of incentives, expand access to finance, and provide a stronger foundation for industrial planning and measurable outcomes.

$200m Disbursed Through Key Institutions

In 2025, funding and support were channelled through the Bank of Industry and the Nigerian Export-Import Bank, alongside programmes of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council. Beneficiaries accessed a mix of grants, loans and trade finance aimed at boosting productivity and export readiness.

The ministry identified the National MSME Census as Priority One for 2026 under a broader reform agenda focused on disciplined execution, stronger collaboration with states, and better alignment between trade, investment and industrial policy.

2025 Seen as Turning Point

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, described 2025 as a pivotal year for Nigeria’s economic trajectory, citing improved execution and renewed investor confidence.

She disclosed that capital importation rose sharply, reaching about $21 billion in the first 10 months of 2025, compared with $12.3 billion in 2024 and $3.9 billion in 2023. The ministry also developed a pipeline of over $5 billion in bankable projects, held more than 150 investor engagements, and tracked signed commitments exceeding $50 billion, with roughly a quarter already moving toward implementation.

Trade, Exports and Diversification Gains

On trade performance, Nigeria recorded total trade of ₦113.03 trillion between Q1 and Q3 2025, with exports valued at ₦66.16 trillion—an increase of over 11 per cent year-on-year and enough to sustain a positive trade balance.

The minister attributed these gains to reforms such as the gazetting of Nigeria’s tariff schedule under the African Continental Free Trade Area, the launch of an air cargo corridor linking Nigeria to East and Southern Africa, and targeted export support for MSMEs. Non-oil exports exceeded $6 billion, while freight costs reportedly fell by about 50 per cent and export processing times dropped to less than 24 hours.

Economic diversification also accelerated, with the repositioned Nigeria Commodity Exchange recording over 500 per cent growth in traded volumes and a 111 per cent increase in traded value during 2025.

Women-Led Businesses, Data and Execution in Focus

Looking ahead, the ministry said its 2026 strategy would rest on four pillars: expanding access to global and regional markets, strengthening domestic export supply, mobilising investment through coherent policy execution, and leveraging data and digital infrastructure.

Beyond the MSME census, women-led enterprises and long-term finance have been listed as key priorities. The government plans to introduce dedicated financing frameworks to help women-owned MSMEs and industrial businesses overcome barriers to patient capital and integrate into priority value chains.

The Minister of State for Industry, John Enoh, stressed that weak data has historically limited effective planning and evaluation, reinforcing the need for a national census. He also warned that fragmented implementation across agencies and stakeholders could undermine industrial growth, calling instead for coordinated platforms and sustained engagement with industry players.

With the planned census and broader reforms, the government says it aims to build a more inclusive, data-backed and execution-driven MSME ecosystem capable of supporting Nigeria’s long-term industrial and export ambitions.