The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) says it has facilitated the disbursement of grant to 128 women-owned export-oriented Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
The grant worth 710,000 dollars (N979.8 million) was given under the Women Exporters in the Digital Economy (WEIDE) fund.
The Executive Director/CEO of NEPC, Mrs Nonye Ayeni, made this known in a statement issued by the Head,Cooperate Communications, Mr Aliu Sadiq on Thursday in Abuja.
Ayeni said that 121 Nigerian women-owned businesses had received discovery grants valued at 5,000 dollars each, while seven businesses had been awarded booster grants valued at 15,000 dollars each.
She said that the fund was a joint initiative of the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the World Trade Organization (WTO), with financial support from International partners.
According to her, the initiative seeks to enhance the competitiveness of women-led businesses by providing access to finance, business development support, digital skills and international market opportunities.
“The global fund aims to bridge the digital financing gap and help women-led MSMEs scale their businesses through digital trade,” she said.
Ayeni said that NEPC was selected to implement the initiative as one of only four Business Support Organisations (BSOs) from more than 600 appliancant across the African continent.
She said that Nigeria was chosen as one of only four beneficiary countries globally, alongside the Dominican Republic, Jordan and Mongolia, due to its vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem and strong export potential.
“The WEIDE secritariat in Geneva received 67,000 applications from Nigerian women-owned export businesses, facilitated by NEPC, which is the highest among the four beneficiary countries.
“After a rigorous and multi-stage screening,146 enterprises emerged as the final beneficiaries of the grant scheme,” she said.
According to her, the beneficiaries represent a broad range of Nigeria’s non-oil export sector, including agro-processing, food and beverages, textiles and fashion, and other value-added export categories.
Ayeni said that beneficiaries also benefited from capacity-building programmes in Lagos and Abuja, designed to strengthen their competitiveness in international markets.
“The programme also covers export readiness, digital trade, e-commerce, branding and marketing, business planning, financial management, market access strategies, and sustainability,” She said.
Ayeni said that the programme aligned with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda to promote non-oil exports, inclusive economic growth and women’s economic empowerment.
The NEPC boss reaffirmed dedication to working with international and local partners to expand opportunities for Nigerian women-owned businesses and promote Nigeria’s economic diversification agenda.NAN
