Adaptability is an attribute that has often been associated with Nagas. And that very attribute has shaped our mindsets particularly in the last decade as we witness a rising wave of entrepreneurship that has been building across Nagaland , cutting across gender and economic norms.
A step in the right direction, the youth of our State are opting for the road less travelled and gradually weaning away from the conventional race for government jobs and explori ng new ways of livelihood building through small businesses . An emerging recognizance, Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are gaining momentum as a promising career path for many which will, optimistically prove to be a catalytic gamechanger for the State’s entrepreneurial journey.
However, just as every solution experiences varying stages of challenges, the MSME landscape in Nagaland is still in its formative stage, undergoing multiple opposing circumstances that can potentially threaten its grow th and expansion; despite the growing momentum, the full potential of MSMEs in Nagaland remains largely untapped due to several persistent gaps in the ecosystem. One of the most pressing challenges faced by small business owners is access to finance.
Most MSMEs operate informally, without registration or legal documentation, making it even more difficult to access loans or government alprovisions.
While larger cities often benefit from angel investors or venture capital, Nagaland lacks a local investor netwo rk that understands or backs home grown enterprises. As a result, most ventures rely solely on personal savings or family support, making them highly vulnerable to burnout , stagnation and eventual closure.
Achieving a strong MSME foundation is not just pla gued by financial access alone . There is a severe shortage of support systems to help entrepreneurs build sustainable businesses. Most start with little to no formal training in business, relying on trial and error.
Structured mentorship, technical support and market research are few and far in between. Even promising products suffer due to poor presentation and limited scalability.
Digital marketing, a potential game changer, remains underutilized due to low exposure and lack of training. Further, in the matrix of MSME barriers, m arket access continues to be a major hurdle. Entrepreneurs struggle to move beyond their local networks due to poor connectivity, high shipping costs, and limited understanding of e commerce.
This is especially true for those deal ing in local crafts, agri based products, and handmade goods all of which could do well in wider markets if supported with the right platforms. One notable initiative addressing these systemic gaps is the RAMP (Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance) program. Led by the Department of Industries & Commerce and Nagaland Industrial Development Corporation (NIDC), and supported by the World Bank, RAMP aims to reach 18,000 MSMEs over the next two years.
It focuses on building a more cohesive MSME ecosystem by improving access to finance, streamlining policy implementation, enabling formalization, and enhancing market connectivity. Through its implementing agencies in the private sector , RAMP holds the promise of transforming Nagaland’s business landscape.
At the same time in the midst of intervening initiatives , while it is encouraging to see delegates from Nagaland travelling abroad for summits and expos, these opportunities are rarely extended to entrepreneurs.
Inclusivity takes a backseat when such oppor tunities do not come into the privy of e ntrepreneurs who are actively building, learning, and experimenting and they unfortunately have to face the proverbial end of the stick.
If we are to implicitly empower local enterprise s , then exposure, travel grants , and international networking must be extended to them too. Only then can they access new markets, build partnerships, and scale their impact.
Despite the challenges, the entrepreneurial spirit in Nagaland remains strong. But spirit alone isn’t enough. T here is an urgent need for action, policies must translate into real support, financial access must become easier, and infrastructure must improve.
MSMEs are not just an alternative; they are a necessity in a state where jobs are scarce. With the right vis ion and consistent backing from the government, along with partnerships with the private sector can shift Nagaland’s story from one of economic dependency to one of self sustained growth and job creation. The time for support is now not later, not If we want a future where young people create jobs instead of waiting for one, then investing in our entrepreneurs isn’t optional it i s essential .
Entrepreneur School of Business, Dimapur.