The Caladium Lagos SME Bootcamp 8.0, organized by Caladium Consulting and convened by entrepreneurship leader Ayo-Bankole Akintujoye, has been described as a powerful gathering of Nigeria’s emerging business leaders, innovators, and manufacturing entrepreneurs.
The event brought together entrepreneurs, professionals, and senior executives from across Nigeria in a dynamic learning and networking environment focused on business growth, knowledge exchange, and scaling strategies for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Tradeflow Africa and Mainport Manufacturing, Ijidolapo Ijiwoye, described the atmosphere of the bootcamp as “electric,” noting the high level of engagement and energy among participants.
According to Ijiwoye, one of the most remarkable segments of the bootcamp was the exhibition showcase, which highlighted Nigeria’s growing local manufacturing capacity across diverse sectors. Products on display included locally produced food spices and natural beverages; fashion and homegrown textiles; healthcare and wellness products; solar-powered solutions; and household essentials such as soaps, dishwashing liquids, and sanitizers.
The exhibition, she said, was a clear demonstration of the strength and creativity of Nigeria’s SME community and its increasing focus on domestic production.
“It was encouraging to see so many enterprises manufacturing locally and building dependable brands across industries. This ecosystem is alive, creative, and steadily growing,” she noted.
Beyond networking and exhibitions, Ijiwoye also engaged entrepreneurs through a mini-survey conducted on behalf of business partners and clients whose services directly target SMEs. These included companies in telecommunications, cybersecurity, retail technology, and SME financing.
She explained that the feedback gathered provided valuable insights into SME needs, challenges, and expectations, which align closely with the work done at Tradeflow Africa to drive business development, investment facilitation, and cross-market growth support for enterprises.
The business leader also expressed appreciation for the organizers and hosts of the event, acknowledging the quality of planning and execution.
“Ayo-Bankole Akintujoye curated one of the most well-organized SME events I have attended. The hospitality and professionalism were outstanding,” she added.
The Caladium Lagos SME Bootcamp 8.0 further cemented its reputation as a platform for fostering practical business knowledge, meaningful collaboration, and growth opportunities within Nigeria’s SME ecosystem.
