A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), BEACON of Transformative and Inclusive Development Center, has called for economic justice and tax reform to support Micro, Small, and Medium-scale Enteprises (MSMEs).
The Executive Director of the NGO, Mrs Abigail Olatunde, made the call in a statement made available to newsmen on Friday in Kaduna to commemorate the 2025 World MSMEs Day.
The 2025 World MSMEs Day has the theme “Enhancing the role of MSMEs as drivers of Sustainable Growth and Innovation”.
Olatunde said that MSMEs, particularly on the margins of society, should be supported.
She also called on stakeholders to recognise MSMEs as the engines of dignity and growth, not informal liabilities.
“A woman selling grains in Kaduna, a young welder in Sokoto or a tailor with a disability in Zaria, are all crucial to Nigeria’s economy.
“MSMEs are made up over 90 per cent of businesses globally and accounts for more than 70 per cent of employment, especially in developing nations like Nigeria.
“In Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa, MSMEs represent hope where formal job markets fall short,” she said.
Olatunde, however, lamented that the nation’s system demanded revenue without fairness, which undermined the hope.
According to her, many MSMEs face multiple, unofficial, or overlapping tax demands, intimidation from tax agents, and no access to redress or complaint mechanisms.
“This leads to systemic exclusion, particularly for women in informal trade, young entrepreneurs without formal education, and persons with disabilities navigating inaccessible systems.
“BEACON supports small business development through vocational and business training.
“We also support startup incubation for women, youth, and persons with disabilities, and civic education on tax rights and responsibilities.
“There needs to be fair and transparent public finance and dialogue with local governments to establish redress frameworks,” she said.
The director emphasied that economic empowerment must be matched by economic protection, meaning fairness, transparency, and systems that served entrepreneurs, not silenced them.
She also called for a shift from extractive taxation to accountable governance and investment in infrastructure and services that reach small businesses.
“MSMEs should be recognised as engines of dignity and growth, not informal liabilities, strong economies start with strong enterprise environments.
“If we want strong economies, we must start with strong enterprise environments and BEACON will continue to stand with entrepreneurs, who build with their hands, have hope and right to be seen,” Olatunde said.
(NAN)
Stay ahead with the latest updates! Join The ConclaveNG on WhatsApp and Telegram for real-time news alerts, breaking stories, and exclusive content delivered straight to your phone. Don’t miss a headline — subscribe now!
, BEACON of Transformative and Inclusive Development Center, has called for economic justice and tax reform to support Micro, Small, and Medium-scale Enteprises (MSMEs).){kind=link}