27/08/2026
On this day in 1991, Anambra State was created. But our legacy of enterprise predates the map.
For centuries, Anambra has been the engine room of Nigerian commerce — from the ancient kingdom of Nri, to the great markets of Onitsha, to the industrial clusters of Nnewi and Oba.
Today, we're celebrating Anambra@35: ASBA and the Growth of Enterprise
Since its establishment on 8th December 2014, the Anambra State Small Business Agency (ASBA) has played a significant role in advancing entrepreneurship and strengthening the State’s Small and Medium business sector.
Created to provide structured financial and non-financial support to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises(MSMEs), ASBA’s vision is to build an enabling environment where entrepreneurs can access the resources, knowledge and opportunities required to start, grow and sustain successful businesses.
Over the years, the Agency has pursued this mandate through business financing, entrepreneurship development, capacity building, advisory services, market access and strategic partnerships. Through its various funding schemes, ASBA has provided financial support to entrepreneurs, cooperatives, artisans and small businesses, enabling them to expand their operations, acquire equipment, increase production and create employment opportunities.
Beyond finance, ASBA has focused on equipping Ndi Anambra with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in an increasingly competitive business environment,through entrepreneurship training, mentorship, business development support and collaborations with development partners.
The Agency has helped business owners improve their management skills, understand their markets and build enterprises capable of surviving and growing. Its support for cooperatives has also strengthened collective enterprise and expanded access to economic opportunities at the grassroots.
Under the leadership of Mr Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, ASBA has continued to align its interventions with the administration’s vision of moving Anambra from consumption to production. The Agency has strengthened MSME financing, while supporting enterprise-focused initiatives, including the Tailoring/Garment Industrial Cluster at Ogbunike/Nkwelle and other productive sector interventions designed to stimulate local manufacturing, create jobs and promote the Made in Anambra brand.
As Anambra marks 35 years of statehood, ASBA celebrates its own journey of empowering enterprise and opening doors of opportunity for Ndi Anambra. From providing access to finance and business knowledge to developing industrial clusters, supporting cooperatives and connecting entrepreneurs to markets and strategic partners, the Agency remains committed to its objective of building stronger businesses, creating sustainable livelihoods and contributing to a more productive and prosperous Anambra.
@35
