The Adamawa State Government has launched an e-commerce portal for 150 business enterprises as part of efforts to promote digital entrepreneurship, expand market access and position local businesses for greater participation in the global economy.
The initiative, implemented under the World Bank-assisted State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER) programme in collaboration with the Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC), is designed to provide local entrepreneurs with digital platforms to showcase their products, attract customers and explore business opportunities beyond the state.
The launch, which also featured the presentation of NEPC certificates to the beneficiary enterprises, marks another step in the state’s efforts to improve the business environment and strengthen the capacity of small and medium-scale enterprises to compete in an increasingly digital economy.
Speaking at the event, the SABER Focal Person in Adamawa State, Dr Bello Abubakar Song, said the initiative was designed to address some of the challenges confronting local businesses, particularly limited market access and inadequate exposure to wider commercial opportunities.
Song explained that the e-commerce platform would enable participating businesses to display their products online, connect with potential buyers and reach customers beyond their immediate geographical locations.
He said the intervention aligns with the state’s broader business-enabling reforms agenda, which seeks to encourage entrepreneurship, improve the competitiveness of local enterprises and create an environment where businesses can grow and contribute meaningfully to economic development.
According to him, adopting digital solutions has become increasingly important for businesses seeking to remain relevant, expand their customer base and take advantage of emerging opportunities in the global marketplace.
Also speaking, the Governor’s Special Adviser on ICT and E-Governance, Dr Adamu Hammanjam, highlighted the growing importance of technology in modern business operations, noting that digital platforms have removed many of the geographical barriers that previously limited commercial activities.
Hammanjam encouraged entrepreneurs to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the internet, particularly digital marketing tools, to promote their products, engage customers and build stronger business networks.
He noted that with the right use of technology, businesses operating within Adamawa could reach customers in other parts of Nigeria and beyond without necessarily establishing physical outlets in those locations.
He further emphasised the need for business owners to embrace innovation and develop the digital skills required to maximise the opportunities available in the evolving marketplace.
The partnership with the Nigeria Export Promotion Council also formed a major component of the initiative, with beneficiaries receiving NEPC certificates aimed at strengthening their business profiles and preparing them for broader market opportunities.
The NEPC North-East Regional Coordinator, Dr Ben Anani Egon, provided insights into the importance of the certification and the role of the council in supporting businesses to explore opportunities in domestic and international trade.
The certification is expected to support the participating enterprises in their efforts to meet relevant business and export requirements while improving their readiness to explore opportunities beyond local markets.
For Adamawa entrepreneurs, the initiative represents an opportunity to move beyond conventional methods of selling and embrace a more accessible and technology-driven approach to business development.
With 150 enterprises now enrolled on the platform, the state government is expected to build on the intervention by encouraging wider digital adoption, strengthening enterprise capacity and creating more opportunities for local products to compete in larger markets.