NEPC trains women entrepreneurs through WEIDE Fund for export competitiveness

By Halima Muhammad

‎The Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC) says it is empowering women entrepreneurs through the Women Exporters in Digital Economy (WEIDE) Fund to boost digital trade and export competitiveness.

Mr Aliu Sadiq, Head, Corporate Communication of the NEPC, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja.

Sadiq said that NEPC was collaborating with World Trade Organisation (WTO)) and the International Trade Centre (ITC ) to train the women entrepreneurs and boost their export competitiveness through the WEIDE Fund.

He said that the initiative was established by the WTO and ITC, adding that it was established to bridge gender gaps in access to digital tools, finance, global markets.

“It will also close the gap in export opportunities that limit the potential of women-led Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs),” he said.

‎Sadiq said the programme was a 50 million dollar multi donour facility that provides grant financing, technical support, business diagnostics, digital training, market access linkages and export readiness services for women-led businesses.

According to him, Nigeria is among the four pilot countries selected for the programme alongside Jordan, the Dominican Republic and Mongolia.

‎Sadiq noted that the NEPC was implementing the initiative in Nigeria after emerging as the selected business support organisation through a competitive global evaluation involving more than 600 institutions.

“‎The programme was inaugurated in Abuja on Aug. 14, 2025, following a nationwide call for applications that attracted about 67,000 Nigerian women entrepreneurs.

‎”A total of 141 women led businesses were selected for the 2025/2026 cycle. Under the Discovery Track, 128 beneficiaries are entitled to grants of 5,000 dollars each and 12 months of technical support.

“Another 17 businesses under the Booster Track will receive 30,000 dollars grants and 18 months of technical assistance,” he said.

‎The NEPC communication head said that the Women Exporters Conference was organised in April by the council to strengthen the resilience of women-owned businesses.

“The essence of the conference is also to enhance women participation in international trade.

‎“The conference attracted more than 350 participants and facilitated business linkages as well as consultations with experts on export logistics, regulatory requirements and market access.

“As part of the programme, in-person training sessions were organised in Abuja and Lagos to provide practical skills in financial literacy, business management, book-keeping, tax compliance, soft skills, export procedures and documentation,’’ he said.

‎Sadiq added that the training sessions exposed participants to opportunities in the non-oil export sector and the use of digital marketing and e-commerce platforms.

‎According to him, participation in the training is a requirement for grant disbursement, which has already commenced.

‎“Feedback from participating SMEs indicated improvements in business structure, financial record keeping and understanding of export procedures and adoption of digital tools for business expansion,’’ he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ese E. Ekama-Williams