Nigeria - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Solidarity Innovation is a startup BDSP that is primarily engaged in helping MSMEs businesses and entrepreneurs maximise opportunities in the AfCFTA through facilitating access to capacity building,technology,funding and market amongst others.

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

Solidarity Innovation is a startup business development service provider(BDSP) that is primarily engaged in helping MSMEs businesses and entrepreneurs maximise opportunities in the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) through facilitating access to capacity building,technology,funding and market amongst others. Our Services includes: Our Advocacy and Capacity Building Services are: •Stakeholders’ Engagement on Women, Youths and SMEs Participation and Inclusion in the National/Zonal/State-level AfCFTA Implementation Strategies. •Capacity Building and Development in AfCFTA Entrepreneurship Our Business Formalization Services are: •Feasibility Study/Business Plan Development •Company Registration •Tax Registration •Corporate Bank Account Opening •Trademarks & Patent Registration •Certification, License(s) and permits processing. Our Business Support Services are: •Market Research/Survey •Export Planning •Export documentation and procedures •Logistics and freights •Legal Issues

01.02 What is the main problem you are trying to solve?

According to findings from the 2017 National MSME Survey, there are over 41,543,028 Million Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSMEs) in Nigeria contributing 86.3 percent of national workforce, 49.78 percent to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and a paltry 7.64 percent to Export. In Nigeria, some of the most critical challenges that MSMEs face include Business formalization processing including regulatory and compliance requirements, access to capacity building, technology, funding and market (local and international market) amongst others. As an organization, this is why our services are timely and will be required to better position MSMEs to adapt to the new form of competition on the back of the new trade environment created by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) through our business support services.

01.03 Tell us the major benefits and/or advantages of using the product/service that your startup provides (at least 3).

1.Streamlined Business Setup: Our company can handle the complex and time-consuming process of formalizing a business, including registering the business, obtaining necessary licenses and permits, and ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. This allows entrepreneurs to focus on their core business activities rather than getting bogged down by administrative tasks. By offering expert guidance, our company ensures that the business is set up correctly and efficiently from the start. 2.Cost and Time Efficiency: Utilizing our services can save businesses both time and money. By outsourcing formalization and support tasks to our company, businesses can reduce overhead costs associated with hiring and training in-house staff. 3.

01.04 Please describe who exactly your startup’s product/service is aimed at serving. Who are the targeted beneficiaries?

1.Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Agriculture,Manufacturing etc. 2.Women and Youth Entrepreneurs (Emerging and Existing) 3.Non Govermental Organisations(NGOs)

01.05 When was your company established?

2022-02-28

01.06 Are you already selling your product/service?

Yes

01.07 How many other owners are there within your startup?

1

01.08 Among the other owners, how many are female?

0

01.09 Please describe the profile of the other owners within your startup (skills, experience, etc.)

Evans Edebor An Alumni of the African Institute for Economic Development and Planning; a subsidiary of United Nations Economic Commission for Africa; International Trade Centre (ITC), SME Trade Academy; ACEA Scholar, University of Georgia; Associate, Adjunct Faculty, NCCES, University of Lagos, and Mentor, Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), Global Mentors’ Guild, Evans EDEBOR is one of the, ‘Top AfCFTA Media Fellows in Africa’ whose AfCFTA Entrepreneurship have impacted over 13,000+ Businesses & Entrepreneurs across 40+ African Countries. Evans is passionate about Women, Youths and SMEs participation and inclusion in AfCFTA Implementation Strategies and Roadmap in Africa and believes that we are only remembered for 2 things after we are long gone, either by the problem created or solution provided.

01.10 If you have a website, a social media page (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin…), or app, please provide the link(s) here:

https://www.facebook.com/SolidarityInnovation?mibextid=ZbWKwL

01.11 Which industry best describes your project?

Other: Business Services

02.01.01 My startup contributes to the No poverty goal

6

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

4

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

02.03.01 My startup contributes to the Good health and well-being goal

4

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification for my startup

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

4

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

4

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

02.06.01 My startup contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

4

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification for my startup

02.07.01 My startup contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

4

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification for my startup

02.08.01 My startup contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

7 - Strongly Agree

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification for my startup

Our company’s contributions to SDG 8 are multi-faceted and deeply impactful. By facilitating business formalization, supporting SMEs and startups, promoting innovation, enhancing employment opportunities, fostering inclusive economic participation, improving productivity, encouraging sustainable practices, and building resilience, we play a significant role in promoting decent work and economic growth. These efforts not only help businesses thrive but also contribute to the broader economic and social development goals, ensuring a more inclusive and sustainable future for all.

02.09.01 My startup contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

4

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification for my startup

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

4

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

02.11.01 My startup contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

4

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification for my startup

02.12.01 My startup contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

4

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification for my startup

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

4

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

02.14.01 My startup contributes to the Life below water goal

4

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification for my startup

02.15.01 My startup contributes to the Life on land goal

4

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification for my startup

02.16.01 My startup contributes to the Peace Justice and Strong Institutions goal

4

02.16.02 Peace Justice and Strong Institutions- Justification for my startup

02.17.01 My startup contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification for my startup

Our company’s contributions to SDG 17 are comprehensive and impactful. By facilitating public-private partnerships, supporting SMEs through collaborative networks, enhancing capacity through knowledge sharing, leveraging technology, promoting inclusive partnerships, encouraging cross-sector collaboration, mobilizing resources, and strengthening institutional frameworks, we play a pivotal role in fostering partnerships for sustainable development. These efforts not only help businesses thrive but also contribute to the broader global agenda for a sustainable and inclusive future. Through our commitment to collaboration and partnership, we are helping to build a world where economic growth and social progress go hand in hand.

06.01 There are a large number of customers who already use a product/service very similar to the product/service we envision creating.

6

06.02 The product/service represents an entirely new type of product/service.

2

06.03 The product/service could be described as a new technology.

4

06.04 The product/service is an improvement on an existing product or service.

7 - Strongly Agree

06.05 The product/service could be described as an extension of a range of products or services.

6

06.06 The product/service responds to a demand or need that has not been satisfied by other products/services.

6

06.07 The product/service is a new version of an old product/service.

6

06.08 Justification for my startup

Our product/service addresses a demand or need that has not been satisfied by other products/services through a combination of market-driven insights, tailored support, accessibility, innovation, and a focus on delivering measurable value. By identifying and filling these gaps, we provide critical assistance that helps businesses formalise, grow, and thrive in ways that other services do not. This unique positioning not only sets us apart in the market but also ensures that we make a meaningful and lasting impact on the entrepreneurial ecosystem

06.09 Competitive Analysis

1.Halal Trade & Investment Katsina. Business Consultancy Firm 2.

11.05 Are you initiating actions within your community to promote the role of female entrepreneurs?