The second edition of the Enugu 042 NaijaBrandChick Trade Fair has delivered a major boost to the state’s micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), recording over ₦500 million in direct sales within just two days and drawing more than 20,000 shoppers from across Nigeria and the diaspora.
The two-day event, held from August 30 to 31 at the International Conference Centre, Enugu, was organised in partnership with NaijaBrandChick and the Enugu SME Center, and brought together over 100 vendors from cities including Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Accra, and the United Kingdom.
Several participating businesses reportedly recorded between ₦10 million and ₦50 million in sales, while the influx of visitors significantly boosted the local logistics, hospitality, transportation, and service sectors. Organisers estimate that the trade fair will generate a broader economic ripple effect of about ₦2.3 billion across the third and fourth quarters of 2025.
The fair was described as a practical expression of Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah’s digital economy and enterprise development agenda, aimed at positioning Enugu as a competitive hub for innovation-driven commerce and small business growth.
Speaking on the impact of the event, the Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on MSMEs and Digital Economy, Hon. Arinze Chilo-Offiah, said the fair demonstrated how grassroots entrepreneurship could drive sustainable economic expansion.
“This is how we grow GDP from the grassroots. MSMEs are the frontline of prosperity,” Chilo-Offiah said.
Participants and observers noted that beyond sales, the fair provided critical visibility, market access, and networking opportunities for emerging brands, reinforcing Enugu’s growing reputation as a destination for enterprise, creativity, and inclusive economic growth.
Organisers said the success of the 042 NaijaBrandChick Trade Fair underscores Enugu’s readiness to connect local businesses to national and global markets, projecting the state as a rising force in Nigeria’s MSME ecosystem.
