A leading online mall, Konga.com, has proven its commitment to deepening commerce and trade in Africa by supporting Micro Small & Medium Enterprises. To this end, the company recently partnered with Lagos State government to host MSME Exclusive Fair in Lagos. According to the two partners, the fair focused on indigenous and local manufacturers and producers with the aim of promoting “made in Nigeria” products.
Declaring the Fair open, Governor of Lagos State Akinwunmi Ambode, who was represented by the Deputy Governor of the State, Mrs. Oluranti Adebule expressed the government’s appreciation for the support that Konga brings in supporting Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in the State. He acknowledged the importance of MSMEs to the Nigerian economy with over 3,000,000 micro enterprises and over 11,000 SMEs, adding that Lagos accounted for the largest concentration of micro and small-scale enterprises in Nigeria. The governor identified funding as a major challenge facing small businesses, which compelled the state to disburse N6.25bn out of the N25bn employment trust fund established by it.
Also speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer of the online mall, Mr. Shola Adekoya, said the world is changing and will keep evolving as humans have moved over the years from subsistence farming, to trade by barter and now in the age of technology which he said is moving very fast. He said: “This fair is in line with Konga’s mission to be the engine of trade and commerce in Africa by empowering indigenous MSME’s to reach a wider market across the nation. Our organisation is poised at helping MSMEs match with the fast changing technology by providing platforms that showcases their products to the entire world with just a click. We are providing a platform for MSMEs to sell, a payment solution that their business needs and logistics solution that moves their goods all over the country,”
Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, Mr. Rotimi Ogunleye said the partnership would see to the listing of exhibitors on Konga platform for market access and global visibility. He also stated that the platform would also foster quality comparison and innovative improvements among participating exhibitors for local and international competitiveness.
The commissioner added that the fair was organised to reiterate the buynaija mentality as it promotes small scale production for economic growth and employment generation for all Nigerians.
