Abuja:The Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) has launched the Medium and Small Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Public Procurement Training Programme and Digital Learning Portal. The initiative aims to tackle challenges hindering the participation of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in public procurement opportunities in Nigeria.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the Director-General of BPP, Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, highlighted this development as a significant step in the Federal Government’s efforts to enhance procurement capacity and broaden opportunities for Nigerian businesses. The portal is designed to fill knowledge gaps, enhance business readiness, and equip MSMEs with practical skills to effectively engage with government procurement processes.
Dr. Adedokun emphasized the importance of this initiative, noting that MSMEs constitute approximately 96 percent of businesses in Nigeria and contribute 50 percent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Despite their economic significance, many small businesses encounter obstacles such as insufficient knowledge of procurement procedures, limited technical capacity, and challenges in understanding bidding requirements.
The digital portal aims to address these issues by providing practical, accessible, and free learning resources specifically tailored to Nigeria’s procurement environment. It includes interactive modules, quizzes, practical examples, and a certificate of completion to guide participants through the government procurement cycle. The portal is accessible via computers, tablets, and smartphones, and is optimized for users with limited internet bandwidth.
The initiative also focuses on inclusivity, supporting women-owned and women-led businesses, youth entrepreneurs, persons with disabilities, and veterans who often face additional barriers in accessing public procurement markets. The BPP is reviewing existing barriers to MSME participation in public procurement, following the President’s approval for community-based procurement and affirmative procurement initiatives, aiming for a more inclusive procurement environment.
While expressing optimism about the training program’s potential to reduce information gaps and promote professionalism among MSMEs, Dr. Adedokun clarified that completing the training does not guarantee government contracts, as the procurement system adheres to principles of competition, transparency, accountability, and value for money.
He urged MSMEs to leverage the free training to enhance their capacity for responsible participation in public procurement. Dr. Adedokun also called for collaboration among business owners, professional associations, trade groups, private-sector institutions, government institutions, development partners, and accountability agencies to strengthen public procurement and raise awareness about the portal.
Dr. Adedokun appreciated President Bola Tinubu for supporting initiatives that promote institutional excellence, enterprise development, and capacity building. The initiative was developed with support from the World Bank under the Sustainable Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards Enhancement Project (SPESSE).