The quest for increased women entrepreneurship was the focus of a forum to strengthen the capacity of Nigerian women in diverse fields of businesses in order to maximise the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), especially at this digital age.
Organised in Abuja recently by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Nigeria, in partnership with the Women Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (WCCIMA), the efforts empowered over 100 women under the forum dubbed: “HerAfCFTA”, which is a fundamental initiative to boost investment in businesses owned and managed by women in Nigeria.
Experts drawn from Nigeria and other parts of Africa including partner organisations, focused their discussions on policy initiatives and administrative measures that will enhance women-led Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to catalyse growth on the trading opportunities available under AfCFTA for business expansion and job creation.
The theme of the forum, “Empowering Women-led MSMEs for Continental Trade Opportunities”, significantly buttressed the important contributions women make in the growth of the Nigerian economy and how policymakers, entrepreneurs, ecosystem partners, and potential investors can team up on the strategy to enhance Nigerian women in regional and continental trade.
UNDP country coordinator (Nigeria) Elsie Attafuah in her remarks said the organisation had made significant commitment to promoting women entrepreneurs and was willing to do more.
Attafuah, who was represented by Mr. Tony Muhumuza, senior economist at UNDP, stated that, “At UNDP, we are making steady strides toward empowering women-led MSMEs to unlock their full potential in cross-border trade. By equipping them with the tools, knowledge, and networks they need to navigate the complexities of AfCFTA, at UNDP, we are laying the foundation for greater participation in regional markets. We are optimistic that this initiative will reach even more women, helping them expand their businesses and contribute to sustainable economic growth across Nigeria and beyond.”
Ms. Weyinmi Eribo, the director-general of WCCIMA emphasised that, “This collaboration with UNDP marks a pivotal moment in unlocking the full potential of women-led MSMEs in Nigeria. We are proud to be part of an initiative that not only builds capacity but also opens new avenues for women entrepreneurs to thrive in continental trade, driving economic growth and creating lasting change.”
Women in Nigeria face enormous challenges having access to opportunities despite the huge contributions they have made in varied fields. Therefore, the programme was put together to address the specific challenges women-led MSMEs face in accessing opportunities within AfCFTA, such as limited export readiness, difficulties in branding, compliance with product standards, and restricted access to wider markets.
The wide-ranging programme provided vital support to overcome these barriers, including masterclasses, where participants received in-depth training on AfCFTA protocols, export documentation, and branding strategies, significantly enhancing their competitiveness in regional markets.
Another important aspect was market intelligence, which presented detailed reports that offered actionable insights into trade opportunities, particularly within the Southern and Eastern African regions.
Networking opportunities were also espoused to promote business-to-business (B2B) as well as matchmaking events, which facilitated connections with potential buyers, suppliers, and investors, fostering new strategic partnerships.
The trade facilitation support component of this initiative entails practical assistance in logistics and access to production equipment to help participants scale up their operations to meet regional market demands.
“By addressing these critical challenges, the initiative empowered women-led MSMEs to navigate the complexities of cross-border trade, strengthen value chains, and enhance productivity in high-demand sectors,” the UNDP noted.
The success of the HerAfCFTA Forum underscores how the UNDP has intensified efforts to empower women-led MSMEs across Nigeria. HerAfCFTA has become the focus of UNDP and WCCIMA in their quest to continually boost entrepreneurs with the needed tools to succeed in international markets, advancing both their businesses and Nigeria’s role in the continent’s economic integration.
HerAfCFTA is a product of UNDP’s renewed strategic focus on Africa, which urges inter-African trade as a key mechanism for poverty reduction, job creation, and increasing foreign exchange. It was inaugurated by the UNDP regional director for Africa at the inaugural AfCFTA Business Forum in 2023, and it highlights the importance of more investment for women entrepreneurs in Nigeria. This framework presents several opportunities that will no doubts transform business potential of women and give them leverage, especially in the digital economy.
The UNDP has been at the forefront among UN agencies that have ramped up the fight to end the injustices of poverty, inequality, and climate change. It is working with a broad network of experts and partners in over 170 countries and assists nations to build integrated and lasting solutions for people and the planet.
In Nigeria, the UNDP has also avails governments at all levels with technical and policy development assistance and pushes for the implementation of interventions across various thematic areas to meet the medium to long-term national development priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
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