NEPC Reveals: Women Lead 32% of Nigeria’s Thriving SMEs

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The Executive Director and CEO of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Nonye Ayeni, has revealed that about 32 percent of the 96 percent of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria are women-led.

Ayeni made this disclosure at the HER-SHOWCASE event, Trade Beyond Borders, organised in partnership with the International Trade Centre (ITC) in Abuja.

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“This event is specifically designed to facilitate business networking, market connections, and product exhibitions for women-led businesses,” Ayeni said. “We gather today to celebrate the extraordinary contributions of women entrepreneurs in the non-oil export sector and to explore new opportunities for growth and collaboration.”

Ayeni emphasised the vital role women play in the economy, stating, “Women play a vital role in our economy. It is therefore imperative that, as a country, our SMEs are empowered to take advantage of the immense opportunities that technology and globalisation present to businesses, particularly SMEs.”

She added, “This, of course, reflects NEPC’s commitment to empowering women to transcend traditional physical boundaries and achieve global success in the world of trade.”

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Ayeni also highlighted the numerous platforms that present opportunities for women to trade beyond borders, citing digital trade platforms or e-commerce as transformative and essential in driving sustainable economic growth and development.

“The NEPC recognises the pivotal role that women play in driving economic development and innovation,” Ayeni said. “Therefore, a significant part of our programs, initiatives, and partnerships are targeted towards supporting women and women-led businesses.”

Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, also spoke at the event, noting that the trade landscape is evolving, with Africa at the forefront of a significant transformation.

“I am pleased that the dialogue on gender and trade transition has shifted from women getting a seat at the table to acknowledging us as key agents of change in the sector, acting as consumers, producers, distributors, and decision-makers across the value chain,” Oduwole said.

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