Edo State Ministry of Business Trade and Investment

29/08/2026

On behalf of the Ministry of Business Trade and Investment, I celebrate a visionary leader, patriot, and the people's Governor.

May your new age be filled with divine wisdom, good health, joy and greater strength to continue leading Edo State to new heights under the SHINE Agenda.

Happy Birthday Akpako Rescue!
Happy Birthday Akpakomiza!!
Happy Birthday Your Excellency!!!

Congratulations and best wishes, Sir.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Dcnxstpoy1o/?igsi=MTE0djZ4anY4cGNhMA==

14/08/2026

Edo State Govt Inaugurates Executives of NASME, Tasks on Global Best Practices

The Edo State Government through the Ministry of Business, Trade and Investment, has inaugurated the new executives of the Edo State Chapter of the Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME), with the charge for them to embrace emerging technologies and global trends.

In his speech during the inauguration in Benin City, the Commissioner for Business, Trade and Investment, Hon. Omoh Anabor, disclosed that the Sen. Monday Okpebholo-led administration is working assiduously with Federal agencies to ensure that packages concerning MSMEs are made available to members of the Association and other groups in the State.

Hon. Anabor gave the assurance that the State Government is creating an e-commerce platform strictly for "Proudly Made in Edo" products, where MSME products will be visible and could be sold anywhere in the world. He submitted that partnership between the Edo State Government and key stakeholders, MSMEs would have greater platforms to thrive and sustain the State's growing economy.

The Special Adviser to the Edo State Governor on Markets, Hon. Juliana Ikharo, applauded NASME for capturing the market sector and small businesses. She assured that the State Government will key into whatever is needed to strengthen its presence in the MSME space, adding that the business sector has changed the narrative of making businesses work, and advised MSMEs to register with the Association in line with their businesses in preparation for upcoming empowerments.

Speaking on behalf of the newly inaugurated executives, the Chairman of NASME (Edo State Chapter), Hon. Frank Aguebor Obaraye, appreciated the Edo State Government and the NASME National Secretariat. He disclosed that no government could build a prosperous economy alone, but requires strong partnerships with the private sector, particularly the SMEs, who also provide employment, create wealth and sustain communities.

Other key stakeholders also charged the NASME Executives while pledging their respective support to enhance the State's fast growing business environment. Some stakeholders present at the inauguration included the NASME Zonal Vice President (South-South), Mr. Felix Okolie JP; the Consultant representative of the Bank of Industry, Mr. Etiosa Omosivie; SMEDAN, business owners, among others.

Daniel-Nwosu Nohunwan Lucy, anipr
Public Relations Officer,
Ministry of Business Trade & Investment

12/08/2026

Cooperative News..... Abuja

12/08/2026

“Be Frontline Implementers, Not Spectators”: FG Charges 36 States on Cooperative Digital Rollout

The Federal Government has charged Directors of Cooperatives from the 36 States and FCT to take the lead in implementing the National Cooperative Smart Registry (NCSR) as part of Nigeria’s cooperative sector digital transformation.

The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security and Supervising Minister of Cooperative Affairs, Sen. Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, gave the charge at the National Technical Workshop on Cooperative Sector Digitalization held in Abuja on August 11, 2026.

Representing Edo State at the workshop was Mrs. Evelyn Nekpen Imode, Director of Cooperatives, alongside Directors from across the country.

The workshop focused on the implementation of the NCSR, Cooperative Verification Number (CVN), and Cooperative Member Identification Number (CoopID) to strengthen cooperative registration, verification, data management, regulation and access to finance.

The Minister emphasized that the digitalization is not merely an ICT project but an economic and institutional reform designed to create a more transparent, accountable and financially inclusive cooperative ecosystem.

A live demonstration of the NCSR platform was conducted by Seamfix Limited, the technical partner.

“A New Era for Nigeria’s Cooperatives is here.” 🇳🇬🤝

05/08/2026

Heifer International Nigeria, Azura Power Partner to Train Osaro Livestock Cooperative on Business Growth

The Commissioner, Ministry of Business, Trade and Investment, Hon. Omoh Anabor, says the state government, under the leadership of Governor Senator Monday Okpebholo, is committed to growing cooperative societies and involving them in viable business ventures......

04/08/2026

Edo Govt State Pledges More Support for Women in Corporate Business
..Gifts Free CAC Registration to Young Bead Maker

By Daniel-Nwosu Nohunwan Lucy, ANIPR

The Edo State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to empowering women and promoting entrepreneurship by expanding access to business support initiatives, including free business registration and cooperative development, to enable more women-owned enterprises to thrive.

The assurance was given by the Commissioner for Business, Trade and Investment, Hon. Omoh Anabor, when market leaders paid a thank-you visit to the Ministry following the recent Women Empowerment Sensitisation Programme, where free Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) registration was facilitated for traders in selected markets.

Receiving the delegation on behalf of Sen. Monday Okpebholo, Hon. Anabor described the visit as a source of encouragement and a testament to the impact of the Government's empowerment initiatives. He emphasised that women occupy a strategic place in the administration's economic development agenda, adding that the recently concluded sensitisation programme marked the beginning of series of interventions designed to strengthen female entrepreneurship across the state.

>"Women are very important to the government and society. The empowerment programme we just concluded is only the beginning of many more interventions to come," Hon. Anabor assured.

The Commissioner disclosed that the State Government would continue to support beneficiaries in obtaining essential business registrations, including those of the CAC and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), to enable them access government grants, funding opportunities and other empowerment programmes.

"We will ensure that your CAC and SMEDAN registrations are completed seamlessly. We will continue to provide platforms for you to grow your businesses, including opportunities in export. But first, we must equip you with the necessary tools to access government interventions and empowerment programmes," the Commissioner stated.

Hon. Anabor encouraged traders to formalise their thrift savings groups by registering them as cooperative societies, noting that doing so would enhance their eligibility for government support and other development opportunities.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Markets, Hon. Juliana Ikharo, explained that although government has several intervention programmes for traders and entrepreneurs, beneficiaries must possess the appropriate documentation to qualify. Using the Yanga Market as an example, she advised fish traders and other groups who are engaged in similar businesses to register as cooperative societies, saying it would position them to benefit more easily from government interventions.

The Head of Cooperatives in the Ministry of Business, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Evelyn Imode, highlighted the importance of cooperative registration and outlined the requirements for forming cooperative societies. She advised traders to register cooperatives based on their specific trades or business clusters, explaining that such an arrangement would enhance coordination, improve communication with members and enable the Ministry to effectively monitor cooperative activities and ensure compliance with relevant regulations.

Earlier, the spokesperson for the market women, Mrs. Happy Omoigui of the Depot Market, expressed appreciation to the Governor for creating opportunities that enable market women, producers and entrepreneurs to embrace digital business practices. She commended the government for facilitating free registration through the CAC and the SMEDAN during the empowerment programme, describing the initiative as timely and impactful.

The highpoint of the visit was the presentation of a free CAC registration form to Miss Faith Ayeni, a young bead maker who recently completed her vocational training and showcased her handcrafted products to officials of the Ministry. The gesture was at the instance of the Commissioner to sponsor her CAC registration and also include her in Edo State's delegation to the next trade fair outside the State, where she will have the opportunity to exhibit her products and connect with wider markets.

The visit served as a positive testament to the recently concluded one-day Women Empowerment Sensitisation Programme organised by the Office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Markets in collaboration with the Ministry of Business, Trade and Investment and the Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy.

31/07/2026

31/07/2026

WOMEN EMPOWERMENT:
Edo Women Encouraged to Leverage Digital Marketing


Highlight of the programme was the presentation of free CAC business registration to 30 market women. The initiative is expected to promote business formalization and enable market women, business producrs, entrepreneurs and MSMEs access government interventions, financial services, and private sector opportunities available to registered businesses.

reports

Video credit: EBS Benin

30/07/2026

Edo Govt Reiterates Commitment to Youth Engagement as TIC Officials Brief Commissioner, Special Adviser

Edo State Government, through the Ministry of Business, Trade and Investment, has assured officials of the Technology Incubation Centre (TIC) that it is willing to work closely with the Centre in identifying and nurturing young innovators, and in harnessing the potential of Edo youths.

The Commissioner, Hon. Omoh Anabor stated this while receiving officials of the Technology Incubation Centre (TIC), Benin, led by the Zonal Director, South-South, who paid a courtesy visit to the ministry to give insight into the Centre's operations in Edo State.

Hon. Anabor opined that engaging youths productively remains central to Governor Monday Okpebholo's five-point SHINE agenda, particularly as a strategy for curbing social vices in the state, adding that the government is in discussions with other bodies willing to train and upskill Edo youths.

Speaking on the NextGen Innovation Challenge, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Finance, Investment and Revenue Generation, Hon. Kizito Okpebholo, described it as a forward-thinking initiative, adding that the government remains ready to support innovative minds across the state.

Earlier the Zonal Director, Technology Incubation Centre (TIC),South-South, Mr. David Diekedie, represented by Mrs. Ezeobiefuna Joy Omosede explained that the TIC is a federal government initiative established to nurture startups and support the growth of innovative new businesses in the state, with a mandate to identify talents and create an enabling environment for innovators.

The Centre Manager TIC, Mr. Oyemwense Jombo briefed the ministry on the NextGen Innovation Challenge Programme, a national initiative he said has been adopted by 56 Commonwealth nations. According to him, the programme received 2,375 applications nationwide, 55 came from Edo State, of which 6 applicants from the state have since been selected for the national showcase, scheduled to hold in October in the Federal Capital Territory.

Daniel-Nwosu N.Lucy, anipr
Public Relations Officer
Ministry of Business Trade & Investment

Photo Caption:

The Commissioner, Ministry of Business Trade & Investment, Hon. Omoh Anabor (3rd right); the Special Adviser to the Governor on Finance, Investment & Revenue Generation, Hon. Kizito Okpebholo (4th left); the representative to the Zonal Director, Technology Incubation Centre South-South (4th right), Mrs. Ezeobiefuna Joy Omosede (4th right); the Centre Manager TIC Benin, Mr. Oyemwense Jombo (3rd right); the Head of Cooperative, MBTI, Mrs. Imode Evelyn (2nd right); the Head of Business Advisory Development, MBTI, Mrs. Kate Enobakhare right), alongside officials of Technology Incubation Centre Benin during the courtesy visit to the Ministry in Benin City.