US backs 200 Nigerian entrepreneurs for local, export markets
August 7, 2026 12:53 am
Acting Consul General of the United States in Lagos, Julie McKay (front, 2nd from right) and Mandela Washington Fellowship alumna/Chief Executive Officer of Moppet Foods, Roberta Edu (front, 4th from right), accompanied by graduate entrepreneurs under the Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund Manufacturing Programme
The United States has supported 200 young entrepreneurs with training to prepare their products for the Nigerian and American markets under the U.S. Alumni-Led Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund Manufacturing Programme, strengthening its commercial partnership with Nigeria.
The eight-month programme, which ran from January to August and graduated its 2026 cohort in Lagos on Wednesday, targeted local agropreneurs, particularly youths and women, equipping them with skills in regulatory compliance, business development and market access.
The initiative, led by Mandela Washington Fellowship alumna and Chief Executive Officer of Moppet Foods, Roberta Edu, received support from the U.S. Department of State through the Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony, the Acting Consul General of the United States in Lagos, Julie McKay, said the programme aligned with the U.S. Mission’s goal of expanding two-way trade and investment between both countries.
“The U.S. Mission is focused on increasing two-way trade and investment between the United States and Nigeria. Programmes like this help young, up-and-coming entrepreneurs get their products ready for market here in Nigeria and in the United States.
That is the two-way trade that we are trying to increase,” McKay said.
She added that the project demonstrated how alumni of U.S. exchange programmes could strengthen economic ties between both countries by transferring knowledge and supporting emerging entrepreneurs.
McKay said graduates would continue to benefit from the U.S. Mission’s network of 30 American Spaces across Nigeria, where they could access free internet services, business training and other resources to grow their enterprises.
“We don’t just put the certificate on the wall. It’s a continuous process, and we, as the U.S. Consulate and the U.S. Mission will be around for you as you continue to do this,” she said.
Addressing the graduates, McKay described them as critical to Nigeria’s economic future.
“To every graduate in this room, you really are the future of Nigeria and the future of a competitive economy. You are building not only businesses but also jobs. You have embraced innovation, upheld high standards and contributed to sustainable economic growth. That is a future worth investing in, both for the United States and Nigeria,” she said.
She added that the programme sought to deepen commercial ties by helping entrepreneurs compete in local and international markets: “The goal is simple. We are trying to strengthen commercial ties between the United States and Nigeria by supporting entrepreneurs. We want to make sure that you can compete, innovate and succeed in both local and global marketplaces. It is about creating economic opportunity, expanding markets and advancing shared prosperity.”
McKay also said the initiative formed part of activities marking the United States’ 250th anniversary of independence, noting that entrepreneurship remained central to America’s engagement with Nigeria.
“We are celebrating 250 years of American excellence while looking at the future of partnership. I have immense faith in your success because Nigerians have innovation, creativity, the entrepreneurial spirit and hustle. That spirit will help you succeed in business,” the diplomat remarked.
The convener of the programme, Edu, noted that it focused on helping small-scale agropreneurs meet regulatory requirements needed to scale their businesses and gain access to larger markets.
“The programme is about getting small-scale entrepreneurs and agropreneurs to achieve compliance by ensuring they have the regulatory requirements, documentation and professionalism required by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control to operate in the market. Most small-scale businesses operate without licences, and we are here to change that so they can scale with confidence and compliance,” Edu said.
She disclosed that the programme had recorded significant milestones in regulatory compliance and international market access.
“Today, 62 products have been uploaded on the NAFDAC portal, some have already received their certificates, 32 now have U.S. Food and Drug Administration registration, and we have also registered them on Walmart and Amazon platforms in the United States so they can scale beyond the Nigerian market,” Edu said.
She added that improving compliance among small businesses would boost Nigeria’s economy while enhancing food safety and public health.
“We do not just want them to grow the economy; we want them to grow the economy the right way. This programme will improve the economy, improve health outcomes and support Nigerian enterprises to operate confidently because they now understand the right standards, documentation and licences required to scale into supermarkets and larger markets,” Edu said.
One of the beneficiaries, Chief Executive Officer of Storehouses & Barns Ltd, Cornelia Odiwanor, said the incubation programme had removed key barriers that had prevented her business from expanding.
“Before this programme, we lacked the information, production facilities and machines needed to scale. After the programme, I have secured a place where I can operate for about a year before acquiring my own equipment. It has been really helpful,” Odiwanor said.
She said her company produces healthy snacks and grain-based food products made without preservatives, adding that the programme had positioned her business for future growth.
Arinze Nwafor is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with five years of experience reporting on Nigeria’s economy, industry, data, metro, and judiciary. He focuses on highlighting growth, policy, and market challenges shaping Africa’s largest economy. Arinze’s reporting reflects practical newsroom experience, editorial judgment, and a strong commitment to accurate, informative, and audience-focused journalism.
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