This study was conducted to investigate the effect of entrepreneurial innovation on the growth of SMEs in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Specifically, it examines the influence of product and process innovations on SME growth (revenue growth, business survival, and new startup). The study adopted a descriptive survey design anchored on Schumpeter’s Innovation and the Diffusion of Innovation theories. The study population was 2,350 registered small- and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs). A sample size of 342 SMEs was determined using Taro Yamene’s formula. The study cuts across various SME sectors in Uyo metropolis. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using multiple regression analysis. The findings revealed that both product and process innovations have a significant and positive effect on SME growth, with product innovation having a stronger influence on business growth. It was concluded that entrepreneurial innovation is a strategic necessity for the growth of SMEs in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. As such SME operators should prioritize continuous product innovation by investing in customer feedback, creative design, and local adaptation of global trends to maintain market relevance. Also, entrepreneurs should embrace affordable process innovations, such as digital invoicing, inventory systems, and mobile payment solutions, to streamline operations and reduce overhead costs. This study contributes to the literature on regional innovation by offering localized empirical evidence from Akwa Ibom State
Akpan et al. (Mon,) studied this question.