The Made-in-Plateau Business Carnival has continued in full vigor as residents troop into the Solomon Lar Amusement Park, Jos, for discounted shopping, exhibitions, and business networking in an atmosphere of fun and creativity not found in typical marketplaces.
The five-day carnival, which began on Tuesday, December 2 and will run until December 6, is themed “Strengthening the Plateau MSMEs Ecosystem through Synergies and Eco-Smart Entrepreneurship.” It is organized in partnership with the Plateau State Government, SMEDAN, GIZ, PLASMIDA, University of Jos, Plateau State Polytechnic, and several public–private sector collaborators.
GIZ Highlights Milestones: 6,000 MSMEs Trained, Deal Room Introduced for Investors
Speaking at the event, Mrs. Manbyen Daki, Business Development Service Expert for GIZ Plateau State, said the carnival is the climax of extensive capacity-building efforts that have reached over 6,000 MSMEs across Plateau.
“What we have done here is train entrepreneurs to shift from the traditional way of doing business to a model that embraces green and circular economy,” she said. “We want them to use waste to generate new revenue streams. This carnival provides access to markets, interaction with regulatory agencies, and opportunities to register their businesses at subsidized rates.”
She added that the carnival has created a first-of-its-kind ‘Made-in-Plateau Deal Room’, where MSMEs pitch their prototypes directly to investors, angel investors, impact investors, and financial institutions.
“For those into fashion, we have models. For those into coffee, investors taste it on the spot. The goal is to link MSMEs to funding and scale-up opportunities while ensuring they do things right,” she said.
Daki emphasized that GIZ’s joy is to “step back and see trained entrepreneurs scale up, employ others, and strengthen the ecosystem.”
Kim’s Coffee Co-Founder Shares Pitching Experience
Entrepreneurs also expressed excitement about the opportunities the carnival presents.
Mr. Dung David Dayi, Co-founder of Kim’s Coffee and Nigeria Um Ltd., described the event as an important step for his business.
“I’m here to pitch to investors about what we are doing and how we can scale up,” he said. “It’s my first time, but every experience is a learning curve. Opportunities like this don’t come often.”
Turning Atili Seeds Into Art: Mrs. Kunna Eframe Showcases Indigenous Innovation
One of the most captivating stands belonged to Mrs. Kunna Eframe, who uses Atili (local fruit seeds) to create cultural art pieces.
“Atili litters the ground as waste, but we decided to convert it to wealth,” she explained. “We added colors and developed new designs that reflect all major Plateau tribes because everyone uses this instrument in one way or another.”
Her exhibition included jewelry, key holders, traditional instruments, and a symbolic bravery jacket, all made from processed Atili seeds.
Food Processing and Natural Products on Display: Alan Prince Speaks on Sales and Support
For Mr. Alan Prince, an agro-processor dealing in amora, seseme, honey and other food products, the carnival has been rewarding.
“So far, the turnout is fantastic. Sales have been good for the season,” he said. “We thank the governor, government agencies, and partners for making sure this program came to stay. We expect even more patronage in the coming days.”
His brand also includes natural cosmetic products produced by his partner, such as cucumber and carrot hair creams, bathing gel, detergents, shea butter mixtures, and more.
Recycling Arts Take Center Stage: Enara Works Turns Waste Into Wealth
Mrs. Stella Enara Joseph, a lawyer and founder of Enara Works & Design, showcased art pieces made entirely from recycled waste.
“My passion is arts — performing, creative, literary — and we focus on recycling. We turn everything from kitchen waste to household waste into valuable home items,” she said.
Her products included:
- photo frames made from broken necklaces
- pot pourri from kitchen waste
- masks crafted from scrap paper collected from print shops
- raffia-woven art created from fallen raffia strands
- bottle-cover wall frames
- mugs produced using upcycled designs
“Instead of burning waste and harming the environment, we encourage people to upgrade it into something beautiful,” she added.
A Carnival of Creativity, Commerce, and Culture
Throughout the park, visitors enjoyed a vibrant spread of goods and services, including:
- organic foods
- skincare and natural cosmetics
- locally processed food items
- indigenous fabrics
- small chops and snacks
- handmade crafts
- environmentally friendly art
With giveaways, subsidized prices, and an array of local talent, the Made-in-Plateau Carnival has become a one-stop opportunity for consumers to buy affordable products while supporting grassroots entrepreneurs.
The event continues until Friday, December 6, with organizers urging Plateau residents not to miss the festive showcase of creativity, innovation, and homegrown enterprise.
