The United Nations (UN) Women, in partnership with a Non-Governmental Organization(NGO), Do Take Action, has launched the Women Economic Empowerment through Affirmative Procurement (WEEAP) training program to empower no fewer than 2500 in West Africa.
The flagship program was launched in 4 countries; Nigeria, Mali, Senegal, and Côte d’Ivoire and the initiative aims to bridge the gender gap in public procurement by strengthening access to opportunities for women-owned businesses and fostering a more inclusive economic environment.
Despite women leading a significant portion of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in West Africa, about 41% representing 23 million female entrepreneurs, contributing substantially to regional economies, and accounting for an average of 20% in GDP, women receive only a small fraction of procurement contracts.
ALSO READ: Lawyer vows to challenge Appeal Court verdict on extra-judicial killings
Public procurement represents a significant portion of GDP – 14.9% in OECD countries and nearly 40% in sub-Saharan Africa. In Nigeria, for instance, women’s businesses capture only 1% of federal and state-level procurement contracts, despite the country spending $1.1 billion annually. Notably, only N4.73 million reaches women-owned businesses (NACCIMA, 2021). This disparity hinders women’s economic growth and limits the overall economic potential of the region.
“The WEEAP program is a critical step towards achieving gender equality in West Africa,” said Precious Ebere, the CEO of DO. “By providing women-led businesses with the tools and resources they need to compete for public contracts, we are not only empowering women but also unlocking the full economic potential of the region.”
READ ALSO FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
and then