Role of Hospitality Industry in Supporting Small and Medium Enterprises in Kaduna State, North West Nigeria

This study investigates the role of the hospitality industry in supporting small and medium enterprises in Kaduna State, North West Nigeria, through supply chain integration, procurement, and economic linkage effects. Hotels and restaurants represent significant procurement hubs within local economies, and their purchasing decisions directly affect SME viability and growth in host communities. A descriptive survey design is adopted with questionnaires administered to 30 hotel procurement officers and 80 SME operators including food suppliers, laundry services, artisans, and event equipment providers in Kaduna metropolis. Findings reveal that local SME procurement constitutes approximately 43 percent of total hotel procurement spending, with the remainder sourced from out-of-state or imported suppliers. Key reasons for limited local procurement include inconsistent SME supply quality, unreliable delivery schedules, and inability to meet bulk quantity requirements. SME operators report limited awareness of formal supplier registration processes with larger hotel properties. The study recommends establishment of structured hotel-SME supplier development programmes, government-facilitated supplier matchmaking events, SME capacity building in quality assurance and packaging standards, and a state-level buy-local hospitality policy to incentivise local sourcing. Keywords: hospitality supply chain, SME development, local procurement, Kaduna, economic linkage