The Nigerian Federal Government has launched the Women in Export Development Initiative (WEIDE) to empower 10,000 women-owned export-ready businesses by 2030 and facilitate access to international markets for 3,000 women-led SMEs by 2027. First Lady Senator Remi Tinubu, represented by Hajiya Nana Shettima, emphasized the program’s significance in enhancing women’s roles in global trade during the launch event in Abuja. The initiative, developed in collaboration with the World Trade Organization, the International Trade Centre, and the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, aims to boost women’s participation in international markets through capacity building and export literacy.
Key highlights from the launch included the establishment of grassroots export literacy hubs across Nigeria and partnerships with various trade networks like AfCFTA and ECOWAS. The First Lady noted that women contribute significantly to Nigeria’s economy, yet only a small percentage engage in formal export trade. She called for collective efforts from government, private sectors, and civil society to ensure WEIDE’s success.
Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the WTO, announced a $50 million initiative to create new opportunities for women in digital trade, benefiting 146 selected entrepreneurs. The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, and Nigerian Export Promotion Council CEO Nonye Ayeni, reinforced the initiative’s focus on digital trade and the importance of empowering women entrepreneurs for national growth.
Overall, the WEIDE initiative is positioned as a transformative program aimed at leveraging women’s potential for economic development and enhancing their participation in global trade.
Here are some potential headlines for the launch of the Women in Export Development Initiative (WEIDE) in Nigeria:
