The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has trained over 8,000 women entrepreneurs in digitalisation, packaging, and branding since 2019 to help them expand their businesses beyond Nigeria.
Mrs. Nonye Ayeni, Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NEPC, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja at the Hershowcase Event, themed “Trade Beyond Borders”. The event was organised in partnership with the International Trade Centre (ITC).
Ayeni stated that the initiative was designed to facilitate business networking, market connections, and product exhibitions for women-led businesses. She reiterated NEPC’s commitment to equipping women with the skills necessary to compete in the global marketplace.
She noted that the council had facilitated international certifications, such as HACCP, FDA, and ISO 22000, for 125 women at no cost, enabling them to access global markets.
“Our goal is to enhance the export readiness and competitiveness of women-led businesses by providing training on export procedures, market strategies, digitalisation, and e-commerce,” she said.
She also announced that NEPC had been selected as one of four Business Support Organisations (BSOs) worldwide to implement the first phase of the Women Exporters in the Digital Economy (WEIDE) project—a World Trade Organisation (WTO) and ITC initiative launched in February 2024.
NEPC is the only African organisation on the list, a recognition Ayeni described as “a significant achievement for Nigeria and its female entrepreneurs.”
Since 2016, Nigeria has been part of the ITC SheTrades Initiative, which aims to connect three million women to global markets. To date, over 5,000 Nigerian women have benefited from the programme.
Over the next two days, participants at Hershowcase will have the opportunity to network with industry leaders, share experiences, and showcase their products.
Also speaking at the event, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting women entrepreneurs, describing them as “a vital pillar of the economy.”
She highlighted the SheTrades Nigeria initiative as a platform designed to remove barriers and create more opportunities for women in trade.
“SheTrades provides women entrepreneurs with access to essential resources, knowledge, and networks while promoting inclusive trade policies,” she stated.
NEPC’s efforts align with Nigeria’s broader goal of increasing women’s participation in international trade, helping them build sustainable businesses, and driving economic growth.
