The Federal Government has launched a $50 million initiative to empower women-led businesses in Nigeria to compete in the global digital economy.
The programme, Women Exporters in the Digital Economy Nigeria (WEIDE), was officially unveiled on Thursday in Abuja. Developed jointly by the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the International Trade Centre (ITC), it aims to provide training, funding, and international market access to women entrepreneurs in high-growth sectors.
Speaking at the launch, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, revealed that Nigeria topped the global application pool, with 146 women-led businesses selected from over 67,000 applicants worldwide. Other pilot countries include Jordan, Mongolia, and the Dominican Republic.
“WEIDE is a global declaration that women must no longer be spectators in international trade but equal and proactive participants in today’s and tomorrow’s digital economy,” Oduwole said.
The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) will oversee the programme locally, focusing on providing capital, expertise, and access to global networks for women-owned micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Two-Tier Funding Support
The 18-month programme will operate on two levels:
Booster Track: 16 entrepreneurs will receive up to $30,000 each, alongside intensive technical assistance.
Discovery Track: 130 entrepreneurs will get up to $5,000 and one year of targeted business support.
According to WTO Director-General Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the selected women represent “the heartbeat of Nigeria’s entrepreneurial energy.” Sectors covered include fashion, tourism, agriculture, information technology, furniture, beauty, and food processing.
Okonjo-Iweala emphasised that Africa currently accounts for just 1% of the fastest-growing segment of digital trade — digitally delivered services. She noted that Nigerian women who engage in international trade earn 2.8 times more than those who operate locally, urging more investment in bridging digital gaps.
Despite the programme’s potential, Okonjo-Iweala warned of persistent barriers such as poor internet penetration, high connectivity costs, and unreliable electricity supply. She commended Nigeria’s plan to roll out a $2bn fibre optic network, calling it a step in the right direction.
Dr Oduwole also urged private sector players, development finance institutions, and civil society to rally behind WEIDE’s success, stressing that women’s participation in global e-commerce should be treated as a national priority.
The $50m fund is supported by the United Arab Emirates, the State of Qatar, and the FIFA–Qatar World Cup Legacy Fund. Funding will be channelled towards capacity building, digital literacy, and removing trade bottlenecks through e-commerce platforms and logistics improvements.
Experts believe WEIDE could be a game-changer for Nigeria’s export sector. By equipping women entrepreneurs with the tools to participate in global value chains, the programme aligns with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) vision of creating a unified, competitive African market.
Economic analysts say boosting women-led digital exports could significantly increase Nigeria’s non-oil revenue, reduce unemployment, and foster innovation-led growth.