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The Federal Government, in partnership with the Republic of Korea and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has commenced construction of the $12 million Abuja Centre for Entrepreneurship (ACE).
The centre is being developed at the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) Industrial Development Centre in Idu, Abuja.
It is expected to provide training, digital facilities, incubation, workspaces and other business support for Nigerian entrepreneurs, startups and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
Under the initial programme, the centre is expected to support 500 aspiring entrepreneurs, 400 startups and 1,500 MSMEs.
About the Abuja Centre for Entrepreneurship
The Abuja Centre for Entrepreneurship is funded by the Republic of Korea through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).
SMEDAN is the Nigerian government partner on the project, while UNDP is supporting infrastructure delivery.
Construction officially commenced in September 2026 following earlier feasibility studies, site selection and preparation of the facility at Idu.
According to the Federal Government, the project is intended to give entrepreneurs access to facilities and support that may be difficult for small businesses to provide independently.
What the $12 Million Funding Will Cover
The project has a total funding commitment of $12 million.
About $5.9 million has been allocated to construction of the facility, while another $6.1 million will be used for equipment and entrepreneurship programmes.
The centre is expected to provide facilities such as:
- Co-working spaces
- Time-share offices
- Meeting rooms
- Training facilities
- Incubation spaces
- Digital infrastructure
- Business development support
The facility will also include accessibility features for persons with disabilities and older people, as well as crèche facilities.
Who Will Benefit?
The centre will mainly support aspiring entrepreneurs, startups and existing MSMEs.
Its first programme is expected to reach:
- 500 aspiring entrepreneurs
- 400 startups
- 1,500 MSMEs
UNDP says the centre will particularly support startups working in areas such as FinTech, EdTech, HealthTech and AgriTech.
Businesses in Abuja and surrounding areas are expected to be among the direct beneficiaries, although the project is intended to have a wider impact on Nigeria’s entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Support Available to Entrepreneurs
The Abuja Centre for Entrepreneurship will provide more than physical office space.
Entrepreneurs are expected to have access to training, incubation programmes, technology and enterprise support designed to help them develop and grow their businesses.
The organisations behind the project also plan to work with universities, incubators, financial institutions, private companies and entrepreneur networks.
This could give participating businesses access to wider support in areas such as business registration, finance, investment, digital innovation, export development and skills training.
Incubation Opportunities for Startups
An ACE Incubation Pipeline is also being developed while construction is underway.
Through this arrangement, partner universities and incubators will be able to run entrepreneurship programmes connected to the centre before the facility becomes fully operational.
Businesses participating in these programmes may also form part of the pipeline for the centre’s first intake.
This means some entrepreneurship activities could begin before completion of the physical facility.
How to Apply or Register
Applications for the main Abuja Centre for Entrepreneurship programmes are not currently open.
No official application form, eligibility requirements or registration deadline for the first intake have been announced.
Interested entrepreneurs, startups and MSMEs should therefore wait for announcements from SMEDAN, UNDP or other official project partners before submitting personal or business information.
When registration opens, NigeriaOpportunities.com will provide details on the application process, eligibility requirements and available programmes.
