Over 42,000 Nigerian entrepreneurs impacted as GIZ expands ICSS initiative
The German Agency for International Cooperation has revealed that more than 42,000 Nigerian entrepreneurs have benefitted from its Inspire–Create–Start–Scale (ICSS) initiative. It added that about 17,967 employment opportunities have been
The German Agency for International Cooperation has revealed that more than 42,000 Nigerian entrepreneurs have benefitted from its Inspire–Create–Start–Scale (ICSS) initiative.
It added that about 17,967 employment opportunities have been created through ICSS.
According to the organisation, 60 per cent of these numbers (17,967) are women.
This is as the organisation has intensified efforts to support entrepreneurship, job creation, and inclusive economic growth across the country.
Speaking at the launch of the ICSS4All programme in Abuja on Tuesday, the Country Director of GIZ Nigeria and ECOWAS, Markus Wagner, said the initiative continues to expand its reach, with a strong emphasis on empowering women and strengthening small businesses.
The ICSS programme is designed to support Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) from the early stages of idea development through business growth and market access.
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It is implemented by GIZ in partnership with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria and Kaduna Business School, with support from GOPA Consultancy.
Wagner underscored the importance of SMEs in Nigeria’s economic landscape, noting that their growth is critical to innovation, employment, and resilience.
He said, “Small and medium-sized enterprises, as you know, are the backbone of Nigeria’s economy.
“This means working hand in hand with public institutions, ecosystem organisations, and the private sector to create practical systems such as ICSS that truly enable entrepreneurs to grow.
“They drive innovation, they create jobs, and they strengthen the economic resilience of this country.”
Despite the progress recorded, Wagner pointed out that many entrepreneurs still face challenges, particularly in accessing structured support and affordable financing, stressing that ICSS was designed to close these gaps.
“ICSS offers a practical end-to-end approach from idea to business creation and growth through to scaling viable enterprises,” he said.
Highlighting the programme’s inclusiveness, Wagner noted that women accounted for over 60 per cent of beneficiaries across six states.
“So ladies, this is not only scale. It is economic empowerment, and it is inclusion,” he said.
He described the ICSS4All expansion as a collective effort to deepen entrepreneurship development through better coordination among stakeholders, while reaffirming GIZ’s commitment to connecting businesses with opportunities for growth.
“To the entrepreneurs here today, your ideas and your determination are essential and are the foundation for Nigeria’s future,” he said.
Also speaking, the Director-General of SMEDAN, Charles Odii, called for wider adoption of the initiative at the state level to ensure broader impact.
He said, “We are asking them to drive the adoption of this policy at the state level among business development service providers and across the wider ecosystem.
“The ICSS learning platform delivers the full curriculum digitally, opening programmes to entrepreneurs across every part of Nigeria, regardless of their geographical location.”
Also speaking, the Deputy Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Suwaiba Muhammad Dankabo, commended GIZ for fostering collaboration among stakeholders to promote inclusive enterprise development.
“It is not just about survival, it is about purpose and resilience,” she said.
She added that under the Reconnect Project implemented with GIZ, ActionAid has supported economic reintegration and enterprise development in several states, with about 4,000 beneficiaries trained in Adamawa, Edo, Ebonyi and other communities.
According to her, the beneficiaries have emerged as empowered entrepreneurs equipped with practical skills suited for today’s market.
