The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have launched a solar-powered garment hub and makerspace in Abuja. The facility aims to support small businesses by providing access to modern equipment and reducing operational costs. The garment hub is powered by 254 locally manufactured solar panels, generating 240 kVA of electricity.
This ensures a sustainable and uninterrupted energy supply for the 120 garment-making machines available at the centre. Entrepreneurs can book these machines for free, eliminating the need to purchase or maintain their own equipment. Charles Odii, the Director-General of SMEDAN, highlighted the initiative’s goal of alleviating the economic challenges faced by small businesses due to rising costs.
“Small businesses can book a machine here, work for free, and not worry about power, machine purchases, or maintenance,” he said. In addition to production facilities, the centre offers warehousing and distribution support. SMEDAN has partnered with NIPOST and God Is Good Logistics to provide SMEs with discounted distribution rates of 15% and 20%, respectively, enabling seamless delivery of finished products across Nigeria.
Solar-powered garment hub launch
The solar-powered garment hub is part of a broader strategy to boost Nigeria’s industrial and employment sectors. Similar facilities have already been launched in Katsina and Osun States, with plans to replicate the model across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Elsie Gyekyewaa Attafuah, the Resident Representative of UNDP in Nigeria, commended the partnership with the Nigerian government and emphasized the critical role of SMEs in the nation’s economy. She also highlighted the potential of such initiatives to position Nigeria competitively within the African Continental Free Trade Area, a market of 1.4 billion people. UNDP is working on additional initiatives to support innovation and entrepreneurship in Nigeria, including the Timbuktu Initiative, which plans to invest $1 billion to support 10,000 startups across Africa.
The organization also intends to establish university-based innovation hubs and community innovation centres or makerspaces for individuals outside the university system. The National Union of Textile, Garment, and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria called for the expansion of this initiative to other key cities like Kano, which has a large tailoring industry and significant market potential. Auwalu Abdullahi, a representative of the union, stressed that extending the project nationwide would further strengthen Nigeria’s economy, create more jobs, and empower thousands of tailors.
The launch of the solar-powered garment hub and makerspace marks a significant step in Nigeria’s efforts to support SMEs, reduce unemployment, and promote clean energy. With plans for national expansion, the initiative has the potential to transform the garment industry, enhance local production, and drive economic growth.