…says nothing dies in the hands of women
The Federal government in collaboration with the International Trade Center (ITC) is seeking to grow women businesses in Nigeria through trainings, access to resources and exposure to the international market.
Speaking at Women- Led Businesses, an event hosted by the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) and funded under the UK government “She Trades Commonwealth Programme”, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole commended the role women are playing in the country’s economic growth.
‘I am delighted to be with you at The Women in Export Development Programme. ‘Her Showcase,’ a platform dedicated to empowering women-led businesses and expanding their reach beyond borders.
“I also would like to commend the visionary organizers of this summit for creating a platform that champions these crucial conversations and celebrate women’s crucial role, to the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) who provide support for 3600 female exporters and the International Trade Centre (ITC) for their commitment to providing access to resources and networks with 18 SheTrades hubs”.
She said the Trade landscape is evolving, and Africa stands at the forefront of a significant transformation
. “I am pleased that the dialogue on gender and trade transition has shifted from women getting a seat at the table to acknowledging us as “key agents of change” in the sector, acting as consumers, producers, distributors, and decision-makers across the value chain.
“I am excited about the possibilities that the SheTrades Hub in Nigeria offers. So far, 8,000 women entrepreneurs have participated in its programs.
“I also want to highlight the engagement with WTO in 2024 and the successful launch of the WTO/ITC Women Exporters in the Digital Economy (WEIDE) Fund in Abu Dhabi last February, a significant step toward empowering women entrepreneurs through digital trade” Oduwole stated.
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In her welcome address, the Executive Director of NEPC, Nonye Ayeni said in celebration of International Women’s Day 2025, “it is my honor and privilege to welcome you to this two-day event, organized by the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) in collaboration with the International Trade Centre (ITC).
This event is specifically designed to facilitate business networking, market connections, and product exhibitions for Women-Led Businesses, under the theme “Trade Beyond Borders.”
“Today, we gather to celebrate the extraordinary contributions of women entrepreneurs in the non-oil export sector and to explore new opportunities for growth and collaboration.
“According to a PwC 2024 report, SMEs make up about 96% of businesses in Nigeria and about 32% of these are women-led. We see that women play a vital role in our economy”.
She noted that It is therefore imperative that as a country, “our SMEs are empowered to take advantage of the immense opportunities that technology and globalization presents to businesses, particularly SME”.
On her part, the Executive Director of ITC, Pemela Coke-Hamilton represented by the Senior Advisor, ITC She Trades Hub in West Africa, Fatou Mbenga Jallow said “it is an honor to bring you warm greetings from International Trade Center, a joint Agency of the United Nations, and the WTO committee led growth through MSMEs for a more equitable world
“The She Trades Nigeria hub was launched and hosted by NEPC to build a community of partners with various key stakeholders.
I am delighted today that we have many of the stakeholders present with us as we celebrate the achievements of women and the progress made under the trade initiative, not only in Nigeria, but across the world”.
She said women economic empowerment is critical to achieving gender equality and in keeping with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
In her address, the Acting British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Gill Oliver said the UK government is very proud to support and work with ITC and NEPC.
“We have been doing that since 2018, funding and supporting crucial interventions of women’s economic empowerment in Nigeria.
“Women play a significant role in trade across the world, especially in Africa. They produce our food, provide services in important sectors like education, health, and they carry goods on their backs across borders through the She Trades hub in Nigeria,” she stated.
The programme also provides exhibition venue where many of these women are displaying their products and services.
and then