Construction is underway for a $12 million entrepreneurship centre in Abuja that President Bola Tinubu says would strengthen Nigeria’s small business ecosystem and support job creation across the country.
The Abuja Centre for Entrepreneurship (ACE) is funded by the Republic of Korea through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and is being built at the SMEDAN Industrial Development Centre in Idu, Abuja, in partnership with the Federal Government through SMEDAN and the United Nations Development Programme.
The facility will offer workspaces, digital tools, training, incubation, and enterprise support, with an initial target of reaching 500 entrepreneurs, 400 start-ups, and 1,500 MSMEs. Of the total funding, about $5.9 million will go toward construction, while $6.1 million will support equipment and programming for entrepreneurs and businesses.
“Small businesses are an important part of our economy,” Tinubu said. “They employ people, support families and create activity in communities across the country.” He added that many entrepreneurs already have viable ideas but often lack access to facilities, technology, and training needed to grow.
ACE is expected to serve businesses in Abuja and surrounding cities including Kaduna, Jos, Keffi, Lafia, Minna, Makurdi, and Lokoja, contributing to a broader entrepreneurship ecosystem across Northern Nigeria. The centre has also been designed with accessibility in mind, including facilities for persons with disabilities and crèche services for women with young children.
Tinubu said the government would continue working to expand conditions that help small businesses start, grow, and compete, describing the effort as central to job creation and economic productivity. He noted the project complements broader federal investments in digital skills, enterprise development, and MSME support.
While construction continues, SMEDAN, KOICA, and UNDP plan to work with universities, incubators, financial institutions, and entrepreneur networks to build a wider support system around the centre and identify businesses that can benefit from its programs.
Tinubu thanked the Korean government for the investment and commended KOICA, UNDP, and SMEDAN for advancing the project to the construction phase, saying Nigeria would continue welcoming partnerships that strengthen local enterprise. “Our economy will be stronger when more Nigerian businesses can start, survive and grow,” he said.
