By Oluwakemi Kindness
A total of 128 women-owned export-oriented Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) have received grants worth 710,000 US dollars (about ₦980 million) under the Women Exporters in the Digital Economy (WEIDE) Fund to help expand their businesses into international markets through digital trade.
The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) announced the development in a statement signed by its Aliu Seidu Sadiq, Head of Corporate Communication.
Speaking at a town hall meeting with exporters in Lagos, Nonye Ayeni, NEPC Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, disclosed that 121 businesses received Discovery Grants of 5,000 US dollars each, while seven businesses were awarded Booster Grants of 15,000 US dollars each.
Ayeni said the initiative is designed to strengthen women-led export businesses by equipping them with the financial support and digital tools needed to compete in global markets.
She described the overwhelming response to the programme as a strong indication of the growing capacity and ambition of Nigerian women entrepreneurs.
“The overwhelming response is a clear testament to the immense potential of Nigerian women entrepreneurs and their readiness to take on global markets,” she said.
According to Ayeni, Nigeria was selected as one of only four countries for the pilot phase of the WEIDE Fund after the NEPC emerged from more than 600 Business Support Organisations across Africa to implement the initiative.
She revealed that the programme attracted more than 67,000 applications from Nigerian women-owned export businesses—the highest number recorded among the four participating countries.
The beneficiaries operate in key sectors including agro-processing, food and beverages, textiles and fashion, cosmetics, manufacturing, and the creative industry.
Beyond the financial grants, participants also received training in export readiness, digital trade, e-commerce, branding, financial management and market access to enhance their competitiveness in international markets.
The WEIDE Fund aligns with the Federal Government’s efforts to deepen non-oil exports, empower women entrepreneurs and accelerate economic diversification through digital innovation.
