Edo government, GIZ partner on initiative for post-COVID-19 economy

The Edo State Government has partnered a German Development Agency, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ), on strengthening its private sector to boost productivity and drive growth in a post-COVID-19 economy.

The partnership involves the training of over 400 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in digital marketing to keep businesses afloat while the covid-19 pandemic blows over.

Head of Edo State Investment Promotion Office (ESIPO), Kelvin Uwaibi, told journalists that the training, which would help to cushion the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on businesses, was aimed at positioning the state as a business hub and empower businesses.

He said: “ESIPO is collaborating with the Edo State Skills Development Agency (EdoJobs), Ministry of Wealth Creation, Cooperatives and Employment and GIZ to facilitate the development of digital marketing prowess of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the state.”

Uwaibi noted that plans are ongoing between relevant agencies of the Edo State government and GIZ for the training programme, expected to take place in the first quarter of 2021.

“As a government, we want to be able to act as an enabler to enhance the capacity of businesses in Edo State. We need to help businesses survive the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Before the outbreak of the pandemic, businesses were already gradually adopting digital facilities. We want to empower them to fully go digital, so as to improve their services and enable them to stay afloat,” he added.