FG Unveils Ambitious Plan to Empower 10,000 Women-Led Export Businesses by 2030

The Federal Government has launched a bold initiative aimed at empowering 10,000 women-owned, export-ready businesses by 2030 and ensuring 3,000 women-led SMEs gain access to international markets by 2027.

This was announced on Thursday by First Lady Senator Remi Tinubu, who was represented by the wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima, at the official launch of the Women in Export Development Initiative (WEIDE) in Abuja.

In her keynote address, the First Lady described the initiative as more than just a program launch, calling it a movement to elevate Nigerian women entrepreneurs onto the global trade stage. “We are igniting a beacon that will light the path for thousands of Nigerian women ready to claim their space in international commerce,” she said.

WEIDE, spearheaded by the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the International Trade Centre (ITC) in collaboration with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) and the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, is designed to enhance women’s role in global trade. It will focus on grassroots export education, capacity building, and digital trade literacy, with support through platforms like AfCFTA, ECOWAS Trade Hub, ITC SheTrades, and UN Women.

Highlighting the urgency, Tinubu noted that although women make up 49.3% of Nigeria’s population and own 41% of micro-businesses, only 15% currently engage in formal export trade. She emphasized that empowering women is essential to economic growth, pointing out that closing gender gaps could boost Nigeria’s GDP by as much as 23%.

The event also marked the Nigerian launch of the Women Exporters in the Digital Economy Fund (WEIDE Fund), a $50 million initiative by the WTO and ITC aimed at advancing women entrepreneurs in digital trade. WTO Director-General Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said the fund will benefit 146 selected Nigerian women. Of these, 16 entrepreneurs in the Booster Track will receive up to $30,000 and 18 months of technical assistance, while 130 others in the Discovery Track will each get up to $5,000 and a year of support.

Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to integrating the initiative with national digital trade strategies, streamlining export processes, and improving financing access for women-led enterprises. She emphasized the importance of women not only exporting products but also representing Nigeria’s innovation, culture, and creativity.

NEPC CEO Nonye Ayeni hailed the initiative as a major milestone for women entrepreneurs. She revealed that 68,000 applications were received from all six geopolitical zones, a reflection of Nigerian women’s entrepreneurial spirit. She reiterated that WEIDE goes beyond funding, offering training, digital tools, and global exposure to strengthen women’s role in digital trade and economic growth.