146 Nigerian Women to Access $50m WTO–ITC Digital Trade Fund – NEPC

146 Nigerian Women to Access $50m WTO–ITC Digital Trade Fund – NEPC

The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has announced that 146 Nigerian women entrepreneurs will benefit from grants ranging between $5,000 and $30,000 under the $50 million Women Exporters in the Digital Economy (WEIDE) Fund, an initiative of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the International Trade Centre (ITC).

Speaking at the Women in Export Conference in Abuja, NEPC Executive Director, Nonye Ayeni, disclosed that Nigeria was selected as one of only four countries globally to implement the first phase of the programme following a rigorous international selection process.

Ayeni explained that the fund, unveiled in 2024 in Abu Dhabi, is designed to empower women-led businesses through digital trade funding, export training, and global market access. According to her, the programme attracted massive interest in Nigeria, with over 67,000 applications received nationwide.

“From this pool, 146 women entrepreneurs were selected based on strict global criteria. These beneficiaries are already part of this conference and will receive not just funding, but also structured support to scale their businesses internationally,” she said.

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She noted that the initiative goes beyond financial grants, offering capacity building, mentorship, personalised coaching, and technical assistance to position beneficiaries for success in the global digital economy. The participants will also gain exposure to international buyers, export platforms, and digital marketplaces.

The selected businesses are divided into two categories: the Discovery Track for early-stage entrepreneurs, and the Booster Track for more established businesses seeking expansion. While early-stage participants will receive foundational support and smaller grants, advanced businesses will access larger funding and deeper technical assistance.

Ayeni emphasised that women’s participation in non-oil exports is critical to Nigeria’s economic diversification agenda. She stressed that initiatives like the WEIDE Fund are essential to bridging gender gaps in trade and unlocking the full potential of women entrepreneurs.

“Nigeria cannot achieve sustainable non-oil export growth without women. This programme is not just about grants; it is a pathway to integrating Nigerian women into global digital trade systems,” she stated.

She added that the conference served as a practical platform for business growth, featuring technical sessions on export readiness, standards compliance, access to finance, and market entry strategies. Institutions and export support agencies were also present to provide direct guidance to participants.

The WEIDE Fund is part of NEPC’s broader efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s export ecosystem, improve competitiveness, and support women-led businesses in accessing international opportunities through digital channels.

146 Nigerian Women to Access $50m WTO–ITC Digital Trade Fund – NEPC