The United Nations Industrial Development Organisation’s Investment and Technology Promotion Office has kicked off the Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion (EDIP) programme in Nigeria.
The programme, which was set rolling with the first train-the-trainers workshop in Lagos on Tuesday, was designed to develop capacity and foster enterprise and investment promotion through the development of first-rate business incubation management and counselling systems.
One of the facilitators, Mr Afif Barhonmi, said, with the right regulatory, incentive framework, and the right frame of mind of entrepreneurs, the Nigerian economy could take a step forward in merging the goals of entrepreneurship development, youth empowerment/engagement, continuous economic diversification, industrial upgrading and technological innovation, to make the nation a more competitive brand in the continent and the world at large.
He said, “We are starting with ITPO Nigeria in order to develop capacity for the local team and also a centre for entrepreneurship in Lagos and other regions. This is the first capacity programme and there will be others on developing business incubation management system and counselling. “This team is a tough team because they are professionals with wealth of experiences.”
Participants agreed that developing the business growth cycle would require assistance schemes and policies, which would contribute to the transformation of the Nigerian economy and its integration.
They argued that it was not only important to encourage entrepreneurs to invest in the economy, but also to improve the policy environment.
Another key element highlighted at the workshop was the need to create entrepreneurial competencies and self-rating questionnaires, in addition to identifying potential investment areas.
The Director, Research and Innovation, UNILAG, Professor Wellington Oyibo, described the workshop as timely, adding that it was the much-needed tool that could deliver the Nigerian economy from the depression of recession.