By Ihuoma
The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), in collaboration with the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the International Trade Centre (ITC), has launched the Women Exporters in the Digital Economy (WEIDE) Fund.
At the inauguration in Abuja, the Wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, stated that the project aims to create new opportunities, enabling women to bring their dreams, skills, and innovations to the global marketplace.
The WEIDE initiative is a $50 million program designed to empower women-led small and medium-scale industries to succeed in the digital world by improving access to finance, enhancing competitiveness, and connecting them to the global market. The project, which began last year, reached a milestone with the unveiling of 146 beneficiaries selected for the first phase.
Represented by the Wife of the Vice President, Hajia Nana Shettima, Senator Oluremi Tinubu praised the WTO, ITC, Minister of Trade and Investment, and NEPC for their commitment to driving industrial growth and empowering women through value chain initiatives.
She urged stakeholders, governments, financial institutions, and development partners to continue investing in women-led enterprises and supporting inclusive policies that promote digital access, trade readiness, and competitiveness.
The Director General of the WTO, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, highlighted that the initiative would help beneficiaries build a safety net for themselves and others.
She explained that 16 businesses have been selected for the Booster Track, each receiving up to $30,000 in grant funding and an 18-month technical assistance program for growth and investment. Meanwhile, 130 entrepreneurs are in the Discovery Track, each receiving up to $5,000 and 12 months of dedicated business support.
Edited by: Binta Nuan
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