The Lagos State Government, through its Ministry of Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, has officially launched the Lagos SMEs Export Readiness Programme (LASERP) in partnership with AfreximBank and ImpactHER. The initiative is designed to equip Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) with the knowledge and tools needed to expand beyond Nigeria under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Speaking at the launch held at the Adeyemi-Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Lagos, the Honourable Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Folashade Bada Ambrose, described the programme as a defining chapter in Lagos State’s drive to position its MSMEs as global players.
> “Export readiness is not just a trending term but an economic imperative. Our MSMEs must evolve from local champions to continental contenders. This programme is the vehicle that will drive us into new markets and into the centre of intra-African commerce,” she said.
She disclosed that 253 SMEs have been shortlisted for the programme, which aims to transform them into globally competitive exporters, build wealth, create jobs, and amplify Lagos and Nigeria’s economic prosperity.
The week-long training, starting July 4, 2025, will cover key areas including:
Export documentation and regulatory compliance
Packaging and labelling standards for international markets
Trade finance and export credit guarantees
Logistics, customs, and border procedures
Market entry strategies under AfCFTA
Digital trade and e-commerce opportunities
Gender-responsive exporting for women-led MSMEs
Mrs. Bada Ambrose further revealed that 20 outstanding participants will be selected to represent Lagos State at the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) scheduled for September 2025 in Algiers, Algeria, where they will engage buyers, investors, and policy influencers from across the continent as Lagos’ Export Ambassadors.
In his remarks, Mr. Ody Akhanoba, Director of SME Development at AfreximBank, congratulated the beneficiaries, describing their selection as a testament to their commitment to building successful export-oriented businesses. He emphasised AfreximBank’s dedication to increasing Africa’s share of global exports by empowering SMEs through capacity-building initiatives.
> “We have taken concrete steps to promote SMEs’ participation in the African landscape through strategic interventions such as trade facilitation, finance, capacity building, and market access,” he said.
Akhanoba noted that AfreximBank has trained over 3,000 African SMEs through similar incubator and accelerator programmes, underscoring its commitment to scaling businesses across the continent.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Olugbenga Aina, commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his visionary leadership in empowering SMEs, describing the accelerator programme as a strategic intervention to equip businesses with practical tools for growth.
Also speaking, Ms. Clementina Uzogor, representing ImpactHER’s founder, explained that the six-week programme – comprising four weeks of intensive training and two weeks of mentorship – is structured to enhance participants’ export businesses while providing them with networking opportunities with trade experts and other women-led SMEs in Nigeria.
She highlighted that the programme’s objectives include:
Building capacity for MSMEs, particularly women
Strengthening Lagos’ trade ecosystem
Facilitating market exposure and trade connections
Providing access to promotional opportunities
The Lagos SMEs Export Readiness Programme is expected to position Lagos-based SMEs for significant participation in intra-African trade, drive economic growth, and promote sustainable development across the state.
