Zaki’s Gem Hosts Roundtable During Global Entrepreneurship Week, Calls for Policy Review, Collaboration

By Umar Faruk

Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State — November 28, 2025(Series News Online)- Zaki’s Gem Entrepreneurship, based in Birnin Kebbi, marked World Global Entrepreneurship Week with a roundtable discussion bringing together key stakeholders in the state’s entrepreneurship ecosystem. The event focused on charting a forward path, reviewing existing policies, and addressing challenges such as product quality standards, access to finance, market linkages, and export opportunities.

Ambassador Nafisa Zaki, CEO and Founder of Zaki’s Gem, in her opening address, said:“Today’s gathering fronts this critical discussion to use the opportunity of Global Entrepreneurship Week to interface with relevant stakeholders on issues happening within the entrepreneurship industry. We understand there is no coordination, lack of information sharing, marketing skills, communication systems, as well as management and control within the entrepreneurs operating in the state.”

She added that the dialogue was necessary to create a unifying framework for entrepreneurs, noting:

“It’s through the roundtable that challenges and solutions will surface, contributions recorded, and agreed solutions put to use to enhance operations of all entrepreneurs in the industry.”

Zaki highlighted the urgent need to review Kebbi’s policy framework to align with global standards, and thanked supporting partners.

“I want to acknowledge the contribution and support from the Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC) Kebbi office and the Technology Incubation Centre for ensuring the success of the roundtable at the Incubation Centre’s conference hall,” she said.

The roundtable featured speakers including the Centre Manager of the Technology Incubation Centre, the Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, a representative from SMEDAN, the State Coordinator of NEPC, and several entrepreneurs.

Participants also examined displayed products from Zaki’s Gem, offering observations and suggestions for improvement.

The event concluded with a commitment to develop the insights gathered into actionable plans, easing challenges faced by entrepreneurs across Kebbi State.