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NGO launches market initiative to empower poor women in Abuja

In an effort to combat the growing challenges faced by urban poor women in securing dignified and legitimate trading spaces, the HipCity Innovation Centre has introduced a pioneering market model aimed at empowering women from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The innovative concept was presented to government officials and key stakeholders during an event in Abuja on Wednesday.

The primary goal of this initiative is to provide affordable and structured trading spaces for women who struggle to access formal markets due to high costs, offering a sustainable solution that allows them to engage in commerce within a supportive environment. This new model aims to give these women a chance to break free from the cycle of poverty and economic marginalisation by ensuring they have proper spaces to run their businesses.

Bassey Bassey, the Executive Director of HipCity Innovation Centre, shed light on the importance of this model during his speech. “What we’re doing here today is presenting a market—the market co-created between urban poor women and our organisation, alongside our consultants—to the government and other stakeholders. The goal is to have the model adopted and replicated on the ground so that women who are disadvantaged can find dignified spaces to engage in legitimate trade.”

Bassey emphasised that the creation of this market came after years of in-depth research, which highlighted the persistent struggles faced by urban poor women in accessing formal markets. He explained that many women are either priced out of traditional market spaces or forced into informal trade, often resorting to street hawking. This, in turn, exposes them to various risks, including harassment from law enforcement officers who enforce street trading bans.

“Many of these women simply cannot afford the exorbitant costs associated with renting or buying stalls in formal markets,” Bassey said. “Even the so-called low-cost spaces are still beyond their reach, pushing them to street hawking, which not only endangers them but also leads to regular clashes with authorities due to Abuja’s strict laws against street trading.”

The initiative has been widely praised by both government officials and stakeholders. Architect Ononokpono Nchota Benson, Acting Director of the Housing and Satellite Towns Development Department at the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), lauded the project as a significant step forward in addressing the needs of marginalised women. She also noted that such initiatives would contribute to reducing crime rates in urban areas by providing economic opportunities for those most vulnerable.

“This initiative is commendable as it addresses a key challenge facing many women in the urban poor category,” Benson said. “It will not only help alleviate poverty but will also play a role in curbing some of the socio-economic problems we face, including the prevalence of criminal activities that stem from economic desperation.”

Benson also suggested that the government should form stronger partnerships with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) like the HipCity Innovation Centre to ensure the success of such initiatives. She hinted at the potential for the FCTA to provide land for the project, signalling the government’s willingness to support such efforts.

“The government could provide the necessary land and infrastructure, while the private sector, along with NGOs, could bring in resources and expertise to execute the project,” she added.

Stephen Ajadi, a consultant involved in the project, reiterated the significance of the market model, stressing that it focuses on creating sustainable opportunities for women with low incomes. “The basic aim of what we’re doing is to create very pragmatic and sustainable spaces for people with very low incomes in Abuja, particularly women,” Ajadi explained.

By providing these women with affordable and structured spaces to trade, the project hopes to break the cycle of poverty and exclusion that has long hindered their economic progress. This model, if adopted and scaled, could serve as a blueprint for other urban areas facing similar challenges.

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