Photos: © 2026 Nathaniel Ogbu

IPA hosted a two-day capacity-building workshop on August 24–25, 2026, for the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) and the Kaduna State Enterprise Development Agency (KADEDA).

The training was facilitated by Karla Petersen, IPA’s Scaling Director, with support from other IPA team members.

The workshop focused on evidence for two promising approaches or “Best Bets” for supporting entrepreneurs and business growth: Personal Initiative (soft skills) training and business consulting services. Participants explored what works, for which firms, at what cost, and the opportunities for adapting and replicating these approaches.

Personal Initiative training focuses on developing entrepreneurial mindsets and behaviors, rather than primarily teaching technical skills such as bookkeeping. It encourages entrepreneurs to proactively identify opportunities, plan for challenges, set and pursue goals, and persist in the face of setbacks. Evidence from countries such as Togo and Jamaica suggests that this approach can improve business performance, including profits and sales, particularly when combined with sustained follow-up, access to complementary support, and experienced trainers.

The workshop also examined business consulting services, which provide entrepreneurs with tailored, hands-on support to identify weaknesses within their businesses and implement practical improvements. Evidence shows that consulting can strengthen the adoption of better management practices, improve productivity, and, in some cases, generate sustained improvements in business performance. Participants also explored more cost-effective models, such as group-based consulting, which can deliver results comparable to individual consulting while reaching more businesses.

The sessions combined evidence presentations with structured discussions, enabling SMEDAN, KADEDA, and other participating agencies to assess both approaches against their institutional priorities and identify potential ideas for piloting and testing.

IPA also facilitated a session on Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL), emphasizing the importance of strengthening systems that embed learning and the use of evidence across institutions and programs.

Beyond SMEDAN and KADEDA, the workshop brought together representatives from other key agencies, including the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), and the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC).

IPA looks forward to continuing its engagement with these partners to support the integration of data and evidence into policies, programs, and institutional operations, ultimately strengthening support for entrepreneurs and small businesses in Nigeria.