The Made-in-Plateau Business Carnival 2025 has opened in grand style at the Solomon Lar Amusement Park, attracting thousands of entrepreneurs, investors, regulators, and business leaders for a five-day celebration of creativity, innovation, and sustainable enterprise. Running from December 2–6, the carnival is a major step in Plateau State’s ongoing effort to strengthen its MSME sector—following the successful training of over 6,000 entrepreneurs on green and circular-economy practices that convert waste into wealth.
Designed as a one-stop marketplace, the event features exhibitions, festive-season shopping, business clinics, and the groundbreaking “Made-in-Plateau Deal Room,” where MSMEs pitch directly to angel investors, impact funders, and financial institutions. Agencies such as NAFDAC, SON, and CAC are on-site offering subsidized product registration and compliance services, while banks provide MSME-friendly loan packages to help entrepreneurs scale.
Supported by GIZ alongside state ministries, academic institutions, and private-sector partners, the carnival reflects Plateau’s growing commitment to building a competitive local economy capable of taking its products to supermarket shelves nationwide.
Manbyen Daki, Business Development Service Expert for GIZ Plateau State, noted that the event highlights the growth of MSMEs trained under GIZ programmes. She emphasized that entrepreneurs now have improved documentation and sustainability skills, enabling easier access to finance and investment. The Deal Room, she added, gives investors firsthand experience with local products and opens opportunities for funding local fabrication technologies.
Entrepreneurs expressed excitement about the platform. Dung David Dayi, co-founder of Kim’s Coffee and Nigeria Unlimited, described the experience as a unique chance to pitch, learn, and connect with investors. For him, the carnival offers clarity, direction, and inspiration for future expansion.
Creative entrepreneur Stella Enara Joseph, founder of Enara Works, showcased her innovative pieces made from repurposed household and industrial waste. Using materials like wood scraps, bottle caps, raffia, and broken jewelry, she creates photo frames, decorative pieces, and household items—advocating for recycling as both a business opportunity and a path to environmental protection.
The carnival grounds buzzed with energy as visitors explored the wide variety of Made-in-Plateau products on display. With vibrant showcases, investment-ready enterprises, and a festive shopping atmosphere, the 2025 edition continues to position Plateau State as a rising hub for sustainable innovation and MSME growth.
