GIZ boosts small claims court for MSMES
The German Agency for Development(GIZ), through the Sustainable and inclusive economic development programme – SEDIN and the Agriculture Value Chain Facility (EU VACE/TARED), cofounded by the EU and the German government, organised a peer learning workshop to foster small claims court processes for Micro Small and Medium Enterprises in the Country. This was part of […]
The German Agency for Development(GIZ), through the Sustainable and inclusive economic development programme – SEDIN and the Agriculture Value Chain Facility (EU VACE/TARED), cofounded by the EU and the German government, organised a peer learning workshop to foster small claims court processes for Micro Small and Medium Enterprises in the Country.
This was part of a peer learning programme on Small Claims Courts (SCCs) and Multi-Door Courthouses (MDCs) convened in Abuja on Thursday in collaboration with the Agriculture Value Chain Facility (EU VACE/TARED)
Speaking at the event, Markus Wauschkuhn, head of programme, Sustainable and Inclusive Economic Development and Decent Employment in Nigeria Programme – SEDIN and the cluster coordinator of the Sustainable Economic Development Cluster (SEDEC) said Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are the backbone of Nigeria’s economy, driving employment, innovation, and inclusive growth.
However, many MSMEs face fragmented access to essential support services such as business registration, financing, market linkages, capacity building, and regulatory compliance.
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Subsequently, he said, “To strengthen the business enabling environment, one of key pillars of the Sustainable and Inclusive Economic Development for Decent Employment in Nigeria-SEDIN, a programme of Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), is improving mechanisms for commercial dispute resolution and contract enforcement in partner states
“The programme brings together 10 states: Lagos, Ogun, Edo, Plateau, Niger, Ondo, Crossriver, Kano, Kaduna, Oyo and the FCT to foster experience sharing, practical learning, and cross-state collaboration, with a particular focus on monitoring & evaluation (M&E) and strategic communication.
“These areas have been identified through field experience as critical gaps where states are at varying levels of advancement, making peer learning especially valuable,
Over the years, the programmes have supported the establishment and operationalisation of Small Claims Courts (SCCs) in several focal states to provide MSMEs with affordable, accessible, and timely resolution of debt recovery cases.,” he explained.
He further stated that promoting cross-state learning and harmonizing best practices will be key to strengthening SCCs and enhancing their impact for MSMEs across Nigeria.