The Plateau State Government and development partners have commended the growing capacity and innovation of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) as the Made-in-Plateau Business Carnival entered its second day on Friday at the Solomon Lar Amusement Park, Jos.
The five-day event, supported by the Plateau State Government, GIZ, SMEDAN, and PLASMIDA, has continued to draw increasing crowds as residents troop in for discounted shopping, product exhibitions, and business networking opportunities.
Speaking during an inspection tour of exhibition stands, the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Rt. Hon. Joyce Lohya Ramnap, described the carnival as a celebration of Plateau’s natural endowments, creativity, and emerging economic potential. She highlighted the impressive display of locally sourced products, noting that they reflect the state’s rich agricultural and cultural identity.
Ramnap praised the innovative use of indigenous materials, including the transformation of local olives and their by-products into high-value goods, as well as the emergence of eco-friendly alternatives such as carved wooden plates. These products, she said, showcase the depth of creativity among Plateau entrepreneurs.
The Commissioner commended exhibitors for converting raw materials into refined, market-ready items. She noted that many products on display require only improved packaging and finishing to meet international standards, underscoring the promising future of Plateau’s MSME ecosystem.
She further applauded development partners like GIZ, SMEDAN, and technical committees supporting quality improvement, marketing, and product development. According to her, their collaboration with the state government has strengthened the enabling environment for small businesses to grow and compete.
Ramnap reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to sustaining the Made-in-Plateau Business Carnival as an annual event, explaining that it serves as a platform for discovering new talents and refining existing ones—key steps toward building a stronger creative economy.
Chairman of the MSME Technical Working Group, Mr. Jackse Le’an Mangtat, also celebrated the impressive turnout, revealing that more than 400 MSMEs registered for the carnival, with thousands of visitors recorded in just two days. He said the carnival was conceived to bring together the entire MSME ecosystem and showcase the value of locally sourced raw materials.
Mangtat credited earlier GIZ-supported trainings for inspiring the initiative, noting that the overwhelming participation shows the depth of enterprise and innovation within Plateau State. He assured that plans are underway to institutionalize the carnival as a yearly event.
One of the standout exhibitors, Mrs. Ephraim Ngwan, CEO of B2 Innovations, shared that her products were inspired by the olive seed—an abundant but underutilized resource in Plateau State. She explained that her research revealed that only a small portion of olive seeds is traditionally used for making simple musical instruments, prompting her to explore their broader potential.
Her work, she said, demonstrates how overlooked local materials can be transformed into valuable products, promoting sustainability and encouraging more creative use of indigenous resources.
