Export
The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has called on northern women entrepreneurs to formalise their businesses and meet export requirements to take advantage of opportunities in international markets.
Alhaji Yusuf Ahmed, NEPC representative, gave the advice at a four-in-one event organised by Designed to Become, a women-focused initiative, in collaboration with stakeholders in Kaduna on Sunday.
The event was also supported by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN).
Ahmed said entrepreneurs needed to understand the requirements for participating in international trade, particularly under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
He urged business owners to formalise their enterprises and register with relevant agencies to access training, counselling and other support services.
Ahmed said enterprise registration alone was not enough for businesses seeking to participate in export activities.
He stressed the importance of registering with NEPC and SMEDAN to access relevant support and prepare products for international markets.
He added that entrepreneurs also needed to improve their products, understand market requirements and comply with relevant standards before venturing into international trade.
Earlier, the founder of Designed to Become, Sa’adatu Hamma, urged northern women entrepreneurs to acquire relevant skills and adapt to changing business trends.
Hamma said the programme was aimed at equipping women entrepreneurs with knowledge and skills to grow their businesses and access wider markets.
She urged entrepreneurs to make better use of digital platforms, including WhatsApp channels, status updates and broadcast lists, to promote their businesses.
“You need to learn and relearn to be on top of your game,” she said.
Hamma said the Women Entrepreneurs Development Forum was promoting initiatives aimed at improving northern women’s access to training, funding and microfinance.
Also, the President of Jama’iyyar Matan Arewa (JMA), Rabi Saulawa, said she facilitated NEPC’s participation to expose entrepreneurs to opportunities and requirements for accessing wider markets.
Saulawa said many entrepreneurs needed support in product development, marketing and meeting required standards.
She encouraged northern women to engage in productive businesses to reduce dependency and improve their economic wellbeing.
Saulawa said women could turn their skills into businesses, citing catering, oil production, bead-making, fashion designing and make-up artistry among areas with opportunities.
“The northern woman of today is not sitting down because there are facilities and resources available to her,” she said.
She also encouraged employed women to use their spare time to develop additional sources of income.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event brought together women entrepreneurs and stakeholders for training, mentoring, networking, product exhibition and discussions on accessing wider markets.
More than 30 exhibitors participated in the programme, showcasing their products and interacting with relevant organisations.
One of the exhibitors and owner of Ferrymed Venture, Hajiya Farida Abdullahi, expressed optimism that the exposure would promote her business and improve its visibility.
Prof. Hauwa Yusuf, a Professor of Criminology and Gender Studies at Kaduna State University (KASU), described Hamma as a strong advocate for women and the girl-child.
NAN reports that the event also featured a book reading, counselling sessions, discussions on emotional trauma and networking among entrepreneurs and other participants. (NAN)
