The Made-in-Plateau Business Carnival is attracting thousands of excited shoppers and entrepreneurs to the Solomon Lar Amusement Park in Jos, where the atmosphere is buzzing with creativity, trade, and cultural expression. Visitors continue to troop into the venue for discounted shopping, exhibitions, live demonstrations, and business networking in a uniquely festive setting.
The five-day carnival, which began on December 2 and ends on December 6, is themed “Strengthening the Plateau MSMEs Ecosystem through Synergies and Eco-Smart Entrepreneurship.” Organized in partnership with the Plateau State Government, SMEDAN, GIZ, PLASMIDA, the University of Jos, Plateau State Polytechnic, and several private–public collaborators, the event has quickly become a major attraction for residents.
Speaking at the fairground, Mrs. Manbyen Daki, Business Development Service Expert for GIZ Plateau State, said the carnival crowns extensive capacity-building efforts that have reached more than 6,000 MSMEs across the state.
“We have trained entrepreneurs to embrace green and circular economy models,” she said. “The carnival connects them to markets, regulators, and opportunities for subsidized business registration.”
She highlighted the introduction of the first-ever ‘Made-in-Plateau Deal Room’, where MSMEs pitch directly to investors, angel investors, impact investors, and financial institutions.
“For the fashion sector, models are available; for coffee producers, investors taste it immediately. Our goal is to link MSMEs to funding and scale-up opportunities,” she added.
Entrepreneurs expressed excitement about the platform. Mr. Dung David Dayi, Co-founder of Kim’s Coffee and Nigeria Um Ltd., described the event as a major opportunity.
“I’m here to pitch to investors and see how we can expand,” he said. “It’s my first time, but every moment is a learning curve. Opportunities like this are rare.”
One of the most captivating displays came from Mrs. Kunna Eframe, who uses Atili (local fruit seeds) to produce cultural art pieces.
“Atili is often treated as waste, but we convert it to wealth,” she said. “Our designs reflect all major Plateau tribes because the instrument is widely used across communities.”
Her stand featured jewelry, key holders, traditional instruments, and a symbolic bravery jacket, all created from processed Atili seeds.
For Mr. Alan Prince, an agro-processor dealing in amora, sesame, honey, and other food products, the carnival has been rewarding.
“So far, the turnout is fantastic and sales have been good,” he said. “We thank the governor, government agencies, and partners for keeping this program alive.”
His partner also showcased natural cosmetic products, including cucumber and carrot hair creams, bathing gel, detergents, and shea butter mixtures.
Another exhibitor, Mrs. Stella Enara Joseph, a lawyer and founder of Enara Works & Design, displayed art made entirely from recycled waste.
“We transform everything from kitchen waste to household scraps into valuable home items,” she said.
Her collection included photo frames made from broken necklaces, pot pourri from kitchen waste, masks crafted from print-shop scrap paper, raffia-woven art, bottle-cover wall frames, and upcycled-design mugs.
“Instead of burning waste and damaging the environment, we encourage people to create something beautiful,” she added.
Across the park, visitors browsed organic foods, local fabrics, natural skincare products, handmade crafts, small chops, snacks, and eco-friendly art pieces, creating a lively marketplace of Plateau innovation.
With giveaways, subsidized prices, and a showcase of diverse local talent, the Made-in-Plateau Business Carnival is thrilling residents and strengthening the MSME ecosystem. Organizers are encouraging the public to visit before the event concludes on Friday, December 6.
