The Lagos State Government on Thursday launched Access to Market, a new initiative aimed at connecting Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises with buyers, distributors and corporate partners, as part of efforts to expand business opportunities and drive enterprise growth across the state.
The initiative, unveiled by the Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Akinyemi Ajigbotafe, at JJT Park, Alausa, Ikeja, will debut with a three-day trade exhibition, Lagos on Display 2026, featuring 300 MSMEs from August 6 to 8.
Ajigbotafe said the programme was designed to address one of the biggest challenges confronting small businesses—limited access to markets—despite investments in financing and capacity building.
He explained that the initiative would provide entrepreneurs with opportunities to showcase their products, establish commercial partnerships and secure sustainable business growth.
“Access to Market is LSETF’s dedicated initiative to connect Lagos State MSMEs with genuine commercial opportunities, linking them with buyers, distributors, corporate partners, and consumers through structured trade fairs, exhibitions, and curated marketplace events across the state,” he said.
According to the commissioner, the initiative was built on three pillars: providing businesses with a platform to showcase their products, connecting entrepreneurs with buyers and strategic partners, and supporting long-term business expansion beyond exhibitions.
He noted that many participating entrepreneurs had built successful businesses through digital platforms but lacked opportunities to engage customers physically.
“Lagos on Display offers these entrepreneurs something many of them have never had before: a physical marketplace where their brands can be experienced firsthand.
“It is an environment where customers can engage directly with products, where buyers can build meaningful relationships with founders, and where online businesses can expand into tangible commercial opportunities,” Ajigbotafe said.
Highlighting the achievements of the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund over the past decade, the commissioner said the agency had disbursed more than N15bn through 20,000 loans, created 320,000 jobs, trained 30,000 youths, and maintained a 94.53 per cent loan repayment rate.
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He added that LSETF had also supported more than 82,000 businesses through training, advisory services and business development programmes.
“In this first decade, LSETF has disbursed over N15 billion across 20,000 loans, created 320,000 jobs, and trained 30,000 young people, while maintaining a 94.53 per cent repayment rate, one of the highest in public sector lending in Nigeria.
“These are audited outcomes, and they reflect ten years of disciplined governance, strategic investment, and institutional accountability,” he said.
Ajigbotafe stressed that while the state had invested significantly in developing entrepreneurs’ capacities, access to markets remained critical to translating those investments into sustainable businesses.
“Capacity without access to markets limits the full potential of enterprise growth,” he said.
He described the launch of Access to Market as the next phase of the state’s enterprise development strategy.
“Access to Market represents the next phase of that journey.
“It reflects our conviction that empowering entrepreneurs does not end with training or financing; it extends to creating the opportunities that enable businesses to compete, expand, and prosper,” the commissioner said.
He urged Lagos entrepreneurs to take advantage of the initiative to increase their visibility, expand their customer base and build strategic partnerships, while calling on the media to support the programme through sustained coverage.
“Whether you are an emerging entrepreneur or an established enterprise, Access to Market has been designed to help you increase visibility, expand your networks, and unlock new avenues for growth,” he added.
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