In a bold move to supercharge the engine of its economy, the Delta State Government has officially unveiled plans for the inaugural Delta State Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Summit 2025. Scheduled to run from December 3 to 5, 2025, in the state capital, Asaba, the three-day event marks a watershed moment in the state’s deliberate push to reposition micro, small, and medium enterprises as the cornerstone of sustainable economic growth and job creation.
Organized under the auspices of the Delta State Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (DEMSMEDA), the summit carries the evocative theme: “Advancing Delta MSME: From Vision to MORE Value.” The carefully crafted theme reflects Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s M.O.R.E Agenda, which places a premium on Meaningful Development, Opportunities for All, Realistic Reforms, and Enhanced Peace and Security. By anchoring the summit on this philosophy, the administration is sending a clear message: MSMEs are not peripheral players but central to the realization of an industrialized, prosperous Delta State.
The choice of venue—the serene and expansive Mariam Babangida Leisure Park along Anwai Road, Asaba—offers both symbolic and practical significance. The park, named after a former First Lady of the state, has long served as a hub for leisure and public gatherings. Transforming it into a bustling marketplace of ideas, innovation, and commerce for three consecutive days underscores the administration’s desire to breathe new life into existing infrastructure while creating memorable experiences for participants.
Each day’s proceedings will kick off at 10:00 a.m., allowing ample time for networking over morning coffee before plunging into a packed schedule of plenary sessions, panel discussions, masterclasses, exhibitions, and one-on-one business clinics. Participants can look forward to a rich blend of local, national, and potentially international perspectives on how MSMEs can navigate funding bottlenecks, digital transformation, supply-chain disruptions, regulatory hurdles, and market-access challenges in an increasingly competitive environment.
A major highlight will be the official opening ceremony, which will be performed by His Excellency, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori himself. The presence of the state’s number one citizen at the summit is more than ceremonial; it is a powerful affirmation of political will and governmental backing for the MSME sector. Adding further gravitas to the occasion is the announcement that Mr. Tony Elumelu, CFR—Chairman of Heirs Holdings, founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, and one of Africa’s most celebrated advocates of entrepreneurship—will serve as Chairman of the summit. Mr. Elumelu’s Africapitalism philosophy, which insists that the private sector must lead Africa’s development, resonates deeply with Delta State’s aspirations. His participation is expected to draw considerable attention from investors, development partners, and young entrepreneurs across Nigeria and beyond.
Speaking on the significance of the event, the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of DEMSMEDA, Dr. Godwin Adolor, described the summit as “a defining milestone in the journey towards building a resilient and competitive MSME ecosystem in Delta State.” In a personally signed statement, Dr. Adolor emphasized that the summit is not merely another talk-shop but a strategic platform designed to translate the Oborevwori administration’s policy pronouncements into tangible opportunities for Deltans.
“The M.O.R.E Agenda promised meaningful development and opportunities for all,” Dr. Adolor noted. “This summit is where vision meets action. We are creating a marketplace where entrepreneurs can access finance, acquire new skills, forge partnerships, showcase innovations, and pitch directly to investors. We want every participant to leave Asaba with more value than they arrived with—more knowledge, more networks, more funding leads, and more confidence to scale their businesses.”
To ensure broad-based participation, DEMSMEDA has opened multiple registration categories. Interested individuals and organizations can sign up as general attendees, exhibitors eager to showcase products and services, or innovators seeking to pitch groundbreaking business ideas to a panel of investors and industry experts. Registration is fully digital and can be completed through the agency’s official website: https://demsmeda.deltastate.gov.ng. Early registration is strongly advised, as exhibition booths and pitching slots are limited and expected to be snapped up quickly.
Beyond the headline sessions, the summit will feature several side attractions engineered to maximize value. These include:
- A dedicated exhibition arena where Delta-based MSMEs can display everything from agro-processed goods and fashion items to tech solutions and artisanal crafts.
- B2B matchmaking sessions facilitated by DEMSMEDA staff to connect suppliers with off-takers and manufacturers with distributors.
- Specialized clinics on access to finance, where representatives from commercial banks, microfinance institutions, and development finance organizations will demystify loan application processes and unveil new funding windows tailored for Delta entrepreneurs.
- Digital transformation workshops focusing on e-commerce, social media marketing, fintech adoption, and cybersecurity for small businesses.
- A youth and women entrepreneurship track, recognizing the pivotal role these demographics play in the state’s economic future.
Dr. Adolor also revealed that a select group of distinguished personalities from the federal government, the organized private sector, academia, and the international development community have been invited to deliver goodwill messages. While the final list is still being firmed up, sources close to the organizing committee hint at the possible participation of senior officials from the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), the Bank of Industry (BOI), and corporate heavyweights with footprints in Delta State.
For a state blessed with abundant agricultural produce, solid minerals, a burgeoning creative industry, and a strategic location along the River Niger, the potential of MSMEs to drive inclusive growth has never been in doubt. What has often been missing, however, is a structured, high-impact platform that brings all stakeholders under one roof. The maiden Delta State MSME Summit 2025 is poised to fill that gap decisively.
As December approaches, excitement is already building across the state’s 25 local government areas. From the bustling markets of Warri and Sapele to the agrarian communities of Ndokwa and Aniocha, entrepreneurs are polishing their business plans, updating their pitch decks, and preparing product samples. For many, the summit represents more than just another event on the calendar—it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to gain visibility, secure funding, and take their enterprises to the next level.
The Delta State Government, through DEMSMEDA, has thrown down the gauntlet: the future of the state’s economy will be built by its entrepreneurs. With Governor Oborevwori set to declare the summit open, Tony Elumelu lending his global stature, and a robust program designed to deliver measurable outcomes, the stage is set for a truly transformative gathering.
Entrepreneurs, innovators, investors, policymakers, and supporters of small business are therefore urged to mark December 3–5, 2025, on their calendars, complete their registration without delay, and prepare to be part of history as Delta State takes a giant leap towards becoming Nigeria’s undisputed MSME powerhouse.
For further inquiries and registration, visit https://demsmeda.deltastate.gov.ng.
