Nigeria’s Green Enterprise Revolution Takes Off: UNDP Champions Nature-Positive Future for MSMEs.
By Raymond Enoch
In a bold push toward sustainable economic growth, key stakeholders gathered in Abuja this week for a transformative three-day learning session under the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)-backed initiative, “Support to Potential and Established Nature-Positive Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria.”
Funded through the Global Environment Facility–Small Grants Programme (GEF-SGP), the initiative is setting the stage for a new wave of environmentally responsible entrepreneurship across Nigeria — one that combines profitability with sustainability, and grassroots innovation with global competitiveness.
The gathering brought together representatives from civil society organizations, business development experts, and public and private sector partners. Their mission: to chart a future where Nigerian MSMEs not only thrive economically, but also act as catalysts for environmental protection, climate resilience, and inclusive development.
Speaking on behalf of the UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria, Ms. Elsie Attafuah, UNDP Economic Advisor Dr. Tony Muhumuza underscored the strategic importance of the programme in shaping Nigeria’s development narrative.
“This work aligns directly with UNDP’s mission of empowering communities and businesses to thrive in a green and inclusive economy,” said Dr. Muhumuza. “Through the GEF Small Grants Programme, Nigeria is strengthening civil society organizations and building resilient, nature-positive MSMEs, which are the drivers of jobs, climate resilience, gender equality, and sustainable trade.”
Throughout the sessions, participants delved into key challenges and opportunities facing the sector, exploring strategies to build long-term resilience among small businesses, expand their access to both local and international markets, and help them achieve globally recognized certifications — a critical step toward unlocking export potential and enhancing credibility.
The initiative reflects UNDP’s commitment to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals, with strong links to SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).
Nigeria’s MSMEs — numbering over 41 million — represent more than just a pillar of the national economy. With the right support and sustainability frameworks, they are poised to become a force for environmental stewardship and inclusive progress.
The Abuja learning session may mark just one chapter in this unfolding story, but the message was clear: the era of business-as-usual is over. Nature-positive enterprise is no longer an option — it is the future.
And for Nigeria’s small businesses, that future has already begun.
