GEEP National Programme Manager Engages Market Women in Kano Ahead Of GEEP 3.0 Relaunch

Markets in Kano came alive recently as the National Programme Manager of the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP), Mr. Hamza Ibrahim Baba, embarked on a grassroots engagement tour ahead of the relaunch of GEEP 3.0 under the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

His visit took him to Rimi Market and Dawanau Market, two of the state’s most iconic trading hubs, where he met directly with traders, market women, and association leaders who had previously benefitted from the TraderMonie and MarketMonie loan schemes.

At Rimi Market, Mr. Baba engaged with smallholder traders and members of the Traders Association, assuring them of NSIPA’s commitment to strengthening the programme. He emphasized that the new phase of GEEP would place special focus on authentic beneficiary verification and collaboration with market leadership to ensure smooth loan disbursement and repayment.

He later addressed the Amalgamated Traders Association of Kano State, an umbrella body that represents over 80 market associations. There, he sought the support of the market leadership for the upcoming relaunch, highlighting the scheme’s potential to reach more traders than ever before.

At Dawanau Market, the largest grains market in West Africa, Baba also met with the Market Development Association and interacted with grain retailers and market women trading in vegetables and perishables.

Reassuring beneficiaries, Mr. Baba expressed his optimism about the next phase of GEEP.

“I am very encouraged to see that our market women still have hope in the GEEP programmes. We are committed to ensuring GEEP 3.0 is a success and to sustaining their aspirations through targeted support,” he said.

Traders and market leaders, in turn, commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and NSIPA for reactivating the social investment programmes. They applauded the renewed effort to deliver timely support to petty traders and market women whose businesses often form the backbone of Nigeria’s local economy.

The Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP) is one of the core initiatives under the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA). It provides financial inclusion and business support to petty traders, artisans, and small-scale entrepreneurs across Nigeria. Through loans such as TraderMonie and MarketMonie, the programme has empowered thousands of Nigerians to grow their businesses, support their families, and strengthen local economies.

As part of the Renewed Hope Agenda, GEEP 3.0 seeks to build on past successes, create new opportunities, and improve livelihoods for vulnerable but productive Nigerians.