The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) and the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) have entered into a new partnership aimed at taking business development opportunities closer to entrepreneurs across Nigeria’s 774 Local Government Areas.
The agreement, signed in Abuja on September 21, 2026, is expected to strengthen the implementation of SMEDAN’s MSME programmes at the grassroots level, with the One Local Government One Product (OLOP) initiative identified as a major platform for the collaboration.
Under the partnership, local governments will work with SMEDAN to identify businesses, entrepreneurs and economic activities with strong potential in their communities.
The goal is to connect these businesses with relevant government interventions, training, business development services, financing opportunities and markets.
The OLOP programme is designed to support entrepreneurs, businesses, MSMEs, agribusinesses, community groups and local authorities involved in developing products or industries that have potential within their local areas.
SMEDAN says OLOP focuses on identifying and promoting a distinctive product or industry in each local government area, based on factors such as available resources, existing skills, market demand and opportunities for value addition.
This means businesses do not necessarily need to be large companies to benefit. Small businesses producing goods or providing services linked to their communities’ economic strengths can participate through relevant OLOP activities.
Participants and stakeholders can benefit from technical assistance, capacity building, business-management support and market linkages.
The programme also provides pathways to access finance, infrastructure support and promotional opportunities, depending on the specific OLOP project and local implementation arrangements.
SMEDAN and ALGON also plan to strengthen enterprise formalisation, digital adoption, business advisory services, local production and value-chain development through the partnership.
SMEDAN’s official OLOP page provides a “Register Interest” option for businesses and stakeholders interested in the programme.
Entrepreneurs can also engage with their local government authorities and relevant SMEDAN structures as OLOP activities are identified and implemented in their areas.
Businesses should note that OLOP is not simply a general cash-disbursement programme. The exact support available can depend on the selected local product, participating local government and specific intervention being implemented.
For MSMEs operating outside Nigeria’s major commercial centres, the partnership could provide a more direct route to government-backed training, business support, markets and financing opportunities at the grassroots level.