Over 80 ambitious women entrepreneurs gathered in Lagos from August 6 to 8 for SheConnectsAfrica 2025, a landmark three-day workshop aimed at enhancing cross-border trade and business growth under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The initiative provided practical tools and strategies for women-led SMEs to thrive in Nigeria and across Africa.
The programme included interactive sessions, group exercises, and business clinics, equipping participants with actionable insights to strengthen their enterprises, understand regulatory compliance, and identify export opportunities.
Key topics included tariff structures, tax compliance, business registration, and data protection in the digital economy.
“Our goal was to deliver practical, hands-on learning. From financing options to AfCFTA tariff navigation, women entrepreneurs left with concrete tools to expand their businesses across borders,” organisers said.
A highlight of the workshop was the business clinics, where participants received immediate support for pressing business challenges.
The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) resolved long-standing registration issues on-site, Parallex Bank guided participants on SME loans and financial planning, and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) advised on tax compliance to improve access to public and private sector funding.
“I struggled with business registration for over a year. CAC helped me complete it in a single day, which made attending this workshop invaluable,” a participant shared.
Speakers from the Bank of Industry, SMEDAN, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Nigeria Customs Service, and Nigeria Data Protection Commission offered practical strategies for scaling women-led businesses. Successful women entrepreneurs also shared experiences, highlighting how to navigate challenges and maximize trade opportunities.
Bernard Tayoh, Head of Programme at GIZ Support to the ECOWAS Commission, noted:
“Supporting initiatives like SheConnectsAfrica is crucial. When women succeed, the entire economy benefits.”
SheConnectsAfrica is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and implemented by GIZ, in collaboration with the ECOWAS Agricultural Trade Programme and Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment.
At the conclusion, participants developed action plans to formalize their businesses and explore AfCFTA trade possibilities.
Many described the experience as transformative, providing networking, mentorship, and finance access critical for expanding regional trade.
Organisers emphasised that initiatives like SheConnectsAfrica strengthen women-led SMEs, improve export-readiness, and promote inclusive economic growth.
“Empowering women entrepreneurs is key to driving Africa’s trade growth. With practical support and access to markets, women-led businesses can unlock their full potential,” organisers said.
The 2025 edition of SheConnectsAfrica reaffirms that supporting female entrepreneurship in Nigeria and Africa is essential for economic empowerment, regional integration, and sustainable development.