On August 2, 2025, entrepreneur and Director of The HOW Foundation, Tochi Wigwe, hosted the grand finale of the Town Hall Series under the TW Entrepreneurship 2030 Agenda (#TWEAGENDA) — a five-year initiative aiming to empower over 5,000 micro and small business owners in Nigeria with practical, innovative, and non-financial growth solutions.
Originally designed for 100 MSME founders per session, the finale exceeded expectations with 150 participants joining the discussion. The sessions drew from over 4,000 applications, with 350 entrepreneurs carefully selected to represent sectors including beauty, creative arts, agriculture, fashion, and hospitality.
These town halls created a platform for entrepreneurs to voice challenges, network, and engage directly with industry experts, offering insights into the real obstacles MSMEs face beyond funding constraints.
Expert Speakers and Insights
The sessions featured distinguished industry leaders, including Beatrice N. Eneh, Sandrah Tubobereni, Seyi Awolowo, Hilda Bassey, Dare Aliu, Anahid Inegbese, Tania Omotayo, Taymesan, and Bankole Williams, who provided guidance and shared strategies for sustainable business growth.
During the finale, Ms. Wigwe commended the #TWEAGENDA Think Tank, a team of publicly nominated professionals tasked with analyzing insights from the town halls. Think Tank members — Dare Adebayo, Gbesan Olatunji, Abiola Adewole, Dr. Orlando Odejide, Amarachukwu Nwokokoro, and Yetunde Ajibade — have already begun using these findings to develop non-financial, innovative solutions to MSME challenges.
Beyond Funding: Building a Growth Ecosystem
Key takeaways from the sessions revealed that entrepreneurs are seeking more than capital. They require structured support, strategic guidance, and continuous mentorship to scale effectively.
The #TWEAGENDA initiative is focused on creating the right conditions for SMEs to thrive. As Ms. Wigwe shared, updates on the solutions being developed are expected by the end of the year, marking the next phase in transforming Nigeria’s SME landscape.
