SMEDAN Unveils 2025 National Pitch Competition as ₦20 Million Grant Awaits Nigeria’s Brightest Entrepreneurs

The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) has announced the commencement of the 2025 SMEDAN Pitch Competition, a groundbreaking national initiative designed to identify, support, and celebrate innovative entrepreneurs shaping the future of Nigeria’s Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector.

Under this year’s theme, “Building a Future of Innovation, Resilience, and Prosperity,” the competition will see five outstanding entrepreneurs receive a share of ₦20 million in grant funding to expand their ventures and drive inclusive economic growth across the country.

The 2025 SMEDAN Pitch Competition forms a key component of the upcoming National MSME Conference, which seeks to empower young business owners, foster innovation, and stimulate enterprise development across various sectors of the Nigerian economy.

Through this platform, entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to pitch their business ideas before a national audience comprising investors, policymakers, innovators, and business leaders. The initiative is also expected to strengthen networking and funding opportunities for emerging enterprises.

From the nationwide pool of applicants, ten finalists will be selected for an all-expenses-paid trip to Lagos, where they will compete live for a chance to win from the ₦20 million grant pool. The live pitch event is scheduled to hold between November 16 and 18, 2025.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE: STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE FOR APPLICANTS

Application Deadline:

Entries close on October 28, 2025, and interested participants are required to apply through the official SMEDAN portal at smedan.gov.ng/msmeconference.

Eligibility Criteria:

Applicants must:

Be registered with SMEDAN via portal.smedan.gov.ng and possess a valid SMEDAN Unique Identification Number (SUID).

Own and operate a Nigerian-based business that has been in existence for at least two years.

Be available to participate in the live pitch session in Lagos.

SUBMISSION PROCESS:

Step 1: Elevator Pitch Video

Record a clear, 2-minute video introducing yourself and your business.

Highlight your innovation, resilience, and plans for sustainable growth.

Post the video publicly on social media, tag @smedangov, and use the hashtags:

#SMEDANPitchCompetition #SMEDANGov #MSMEConference25 #GrowNigerian.

Follow SMEDAN across its social media platforms and include your video link in your application form.

STEP 2: ONLINE APPLICATION FORM

Applicants must complete the official Google Form containing three sections:

1. Personal Information

2. Business Information

3. Pitch Entry (with video link)

The form can be accessed via this link:

👉 Click here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeQ54VluP3uXThlFfcItkLWXyAdKVNUzu3lMboCWGAYht0N8g/viewform

DRIVING MSME GROWTH THROUGH INNOVATION:

The 2025 SMEDAN Pitch Competition reaffirms the agency’s commitment to nurturing Nigeria’s entrepreneurial ecosystem by providing strategic support, visibility, and financial empowerment to businesses driving innovation and sustainable growth.

By investing in young entrepreneurs, SMEDAN continues to strengthen its role as a catalyst for economic transformation, job creation, and national development, ensuring that Nigerian MSMEs not only survive but thrive in a competitive global economy.