Crsmeda

30/03/2026

25/03/2026

In the spirit of International Women's Day, CRSMEDA is proud to partner with Calabar Mums for The Big Meet: Business Summit. We aren't just talking about business; we are discussing how to build structures that scale beyond the individual.

Whether you are a startup founder or a seasoned entrepreneur, this summit is your gateway to Building Beyond You.

What to expect:
🎤 Pitch Competition: 10 pitchers, 3 winners, and real funding.
📈 Business Growth: Master the Business Canvas Model.
🤝 Networking: Connect with industry leaders like Dr. Sarah Amana and Ruth Ntekim.
💰 Access to Finance: Practical steps to secure investment.

📅 Friday, 27th March 2026
🕙 10:00 AM
📍 Prof Eyo Ita House, Marian Rd., Calabar
Let’s invest in women to accelerate progress. See you there!

22/03/2026

CRSMEDA Spearheads Governor Otu’s N500m MSME Disbursement to Drive People-Centred Growth

The Cross River State Microfinance and Enterprise Development Agency (CRSMEDA) has successfully commenced the disbursement of N500 million in business loans, marking a significant milestone in Governor Bassey Edet Otu’s "People First" economic agenda.

The disbursement, which took place during the Cross River State Business Community Engagement at Hogis Royale, reaffirms the administration’s commitment to moving beyond traditional economic metrics to focus on the Human Development Index (HDI), directly impacting the livelihoods of families and entrepreneurs.

Representing His Excellency, Governor Bassey Edet Otu, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, emphasised that this intervention is a deliberate strategy to build economic resilience.

Through CRSMEDA, the state has achieved remarkable milestones in a short period including training over 2,500 citizens successfully at the Enterprise Development Centre (EDC), rigorously vetting approximately 800 businesses for financial support, and disbursing N250 million to 500 beneficiaries under the Retiree Entrepreneurship Development Initiative (REDI), with plans to empower 1,500 more across all three senatorial districts.

CRSMEDA continues to expand the state’s financial safety net through high-level institutional collaborations such as the Bank of Industry (BoI), NEXIM Bank, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), and Sterling Bank.

The Governor extended high commendations to the Director-General of CRSMEDA, Mr. Great Ogban, for his dedication and outstanding performance. He noted that Mr. Ogban’s leadership has been instrumental in translating government policy into tangible empowerment for small businesses across the state.

Strengthening our businesses translates directly into stronger households, the Governor stated. ‘We are not just looking at GDP; we are looking at the prosperity of our people."

In his closing remarks, the Governor urged all beneficiaries to utilise the funds strictly for viable ventures. He reminded entrepreneurs that their success is the engine of Cross River State’s overall development and a testament to the effectiveness of the CRSMEDA framework.

18/03/2026

We are thrilled to announce the official CRSG–SMEDAN/Sterling Bank ₦500 Million Loan Disbursement Ceremony.

This landmark initiative by the Cross River State Microfinance and Enterprise Development Agency (MEDA) is aimed at fueling the growth of our local businesses and strengthening the state's economy.

All successful loan applicants are cordially invited to attend this milestone event.

📍 Venue: Hogis Royale, Bishop Moynagh Avenue, State Housing Estate, Calabar.
📅 Date: Friday, March 20, 2026
🕘 Time: 9:00 AM Prompt

We look forward to celebrating your growth and the future of enterprise in Cross River State!

18/03/2026

Governor Bassey Otu Flags Off N500 Million Loan Disbursement to Empower Cross River State Business Community

In a major stride toward fulfilling the People First mandate, the Executive Governor of Cross River State, His Excellency, Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu, is set to officially flag off the disbursement of N500 Million in loans to the state’s business community.

The event, organised by the Microfinance and Enterprise Development Agency (MEDA), will take place on Friday, March 20, 2026, at Bishop Moynargh Avenue, State Housing, Calabar, by 10AM prompt.

This strategic financial intervention is designed to stimulate the local economy by providing indigenous Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) with much-needed capital to scale operations, increase productivity, and create sustainable employment. The disbursement follows a rigorous screening process led by MEDA to ensure that genuine entrepreneurs across the state's 18 Local Government Areas receive the support required to thrive in a competitive market.

Our goal is to move nano-enterprises to micro, and small businesses to medium-scale giants. This N500 Million fund is not just a loan; it is an investment in the ingenuity of our people and a testament to Governor Otu’s commitment to making Cross River an enterprise-driven state.

The Cross River State Government remains committed to fostering a conducive business environment through infrastructure development, policy reforms, and direct financial interventions like the MEDA loan scheme.

08/03/2026

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🌍✨ This International Women’s Day, let’s unite in our commitment to create a world where everyone feels empowered and valued.

Together, we can pave the way for a brighter, more inclusive future! 💪💖

01/03/2026

Welcome to March, the month of growth and renewal! 🌼

As leaves bloom and flowers blossom, let this be a time to embrace new opportunities and inspire innovation in your business. Take a moment to appreciate the beautiful sights and uplifting scents around you.

What fresh ideas will you nurture this month?

Share your thoughts below! 🌱✨

27/02/2026

MEDA seeks partnership with Development Bank of Nigeria to foster MSME development

In a proactive move to catalyze economic growth and expand financial horizons for local entrepreneurs, the Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of the Cross River State Microfinance and Enterprise Development Agency (MEDA), Great Ogban, recently paid a courtesy visit to Dr. Tony Okpanachi, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN). This visit marks the beginning of a high-level strategic partnership aimed at domesticating federal credit opportunities and technical support for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) within Cross River State.

This partnership is particularly timely following the World Bank's recent approval of the Fostering Inclusive Finance for MSMEs in Nigeria (FINCLUDE) project—a $500 million financing package. The FINCLUDE operation, implemented by the DBN, is designed to break longstanding barriers to formal finance that have historically hindered small businesses. By aligning with the DBN, MEDA aims to ensure that Cross River State entrepreneurs are positioned to benefit from this $400 million IBRD loan and $100 million IDA credit, specifically through credit guarantees delivered via the DBN’s subsidiary, Impact Credit Guarantee Limited (ICGL), Great Ogban asserted.

Recognizing that MSMEs are the backbone of the state's economy, MEDA’s collaboration with the DBN focuses on further addressing the financing gap and increasing access to credit facility. The partnership will prioritize women-led enterprises and agribusinesses, which are often disproportionately affected by high collateral requirements and limited tailored financial products. This strategic alignment seeks to transform these constraints into opportunities by expanding affordable, longer-term finance for equipment, processing, and logistics.

The FINCLUDE project is expected to mobilize approximately $1.89 billion in private capital nationwide, and MEDA is determined to secure a significant share of this impact for the state. By facilitating access to AI-enabled digital platforms for faster loan appraisal and strengthening the capacity of both MSMEs and local financial institutions, MEDA is backing the people who power the economy. This partnership ensures that the drive toward a "People First" agenda translates into tangible jobs, increased productivity, and sustainable growth for all Cross Riverians.

23/02/2026

Setting ace for digital transformation in the Civil Service.

The CIVTECH initiative is a game changer in our quest to embrace paperless administration.

17/02/2026

Cross River State Launches CIVTECH Programme to Equip 2,000 Civil Servants with Global Tech Skills

The Cross River State Government has officially flagged off the Civil Service Technology Empowerment for Capacity & High-performance (CIVTECH) Programme. This landmark initiative aims to empower 2,000 civil servants with in-demand technical skills, accelerating the state’s transition toward a fully paperless and digitally-driven public service.

Speaking at the launch, Great Ogban, Director-General/CEO of the Microfinance and Enterprise Development Agency (CRSMEDA), emphasized that the programme is part of an ongoing strategic effort to modernise the state's administrative backbone. He noted that the initiative ensures the workforce is not just keeping pace with global trends but leading the charge in regional digital transformation.

In a keynote address titled ‘From Bureaucracy to Digital Excellence: Leveraging Technology for a High-Performance Civil Service,’ the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, lauded the state’s proactiveness.

Represented by Dr. Aristotle Olumo, Director of Partnerships, the NITDA DG highlighted that Cross River’s goals align perfectly with the Federal Government’s roadmap. Key pillars of this national strategy include:
- Digital Literacy & Skills Development: Target of 30 million digitally literate Nigerians by 2027.
- ⁠Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI): Creating seamless, interoperable systems.
- ⁠Automation: Transitioning from manual processes to AI-driven efficiency.
- ⁠Security: Strengthening cybersecurity and data protection frameworks.

The CIVTECH initiative is a significant step in the right direction," Abdullahi stated. "It contributes directly to our goal of building a public service that is efficient, responsive, transparent, and citizen-centric.

The Head of Service, Mr. Orok Okon, expressed profound gratitude to the Governor for his unwavering commitment to human capital development. Highlighting the enthusiasm within the service, Mr. Okon revealed that there is already an "overflow of requests" from various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to join the programme.

"This overwhelming interest underscores the necessity of this training," Okon remarked. "I urge all selected participants to seize this opportunity to redefine their career paths and the future of our state."

The launch comes at a pivotal time for Nigeria’s economy. In 2024, the ICT sector contributed nearly 20% to the nation’s real GDP, cementing its status as a primary driver of economic growth and stability. By investing in CIVTECH, Cross River State is positioning its workforce to contribute directly to this digital economy.

15/02/2026

Leaders Den Foundation Empowers 40 Widows with Business Grants in Biase Valentine’s Day Celebration

In a heartwarming demonstration of community support, Great Ogban, Founder of the Leaders Den Foundation, hosted a special Valentine’s Day event themed "Sweetness is Love with Biase Widows." During the celebration, Ogban empowered 40 widows from the Biase Local Government Area with business support grants of Fifty Thousand Naira (₦50,000) each, alongside various gift items.

The event was graced by several distinguished dignitaries, including:
- Mrs. Henrietta Henshaw, representing the Wife of the Governor.
- Rt. Hon. Alex Ukam, CRS NPC Commissioner.
• Hon. Edodi Eyong Edodi, Chairman of Biase Local Government.
• Barr. Odum Ijom Ukam, Commissioner for Youth Development.
• Dr. Inyang Asibong, Special Adviser on Gender Mainstreaming.
• ⁠Mr. Charles Atu, Director-General, Due Process and Price Intelligence Bureau.
• Mr. Amissine Usetu Ogban, Biase Coordinator for the Renewed Hope Ambassadors.

The beneficiaries expressed profound gratitude for the initiative, with many offering assurances that the grants would be utilized judiciously to scale their small businesses and improve their livelihoods.

Adding to the support of the day, Barr. Odum Ijom Ukam provided an additional transportation stipend of Five Thousand Naira (₦5,000) to each woman to ensure their safe return to their respective communities.