SME development under the structural adjustment programme in Nigeria

Many initiatives have been tried to stimulate SME development since the structural adjustment programme was introduced in Nigeria in 1986. This article describes the various programmes and points to the obstacles that have arisen in successfully implementing them. Frequently banks have been unwilling to lend to small businesses, and often the money allocated to specific projects has been inadequate because of the high inflation rate. Suggestions are made as to how programmes might be consolidated and better co-ordinated.