The World Trade Organisation (WTO) has kicked off the first phase of its Women Exporters in Digital Economy (WEIDE) Fund in Nigeria, committing $50 million to empower women-led MSMEs in the digital space.
Under this phase, 146 women entrepreneurs have been selected, with 16 "booster track" participants set to receive $30,000 each and 18 months of technical support, while 130 others will get $5,000 each alongside a year of dedicated business support.
Launched in Abuja, the initiative is a partnership between the WTO and the International Trade Centre (ITC), designed to improve access to finance, strengthen competitiveness, and connect women entrepreneurs to global markets.
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First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, represented by Hajiya Nana Shettima, said the scheme aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda to diversify the economy and remove barriers such as poor access to finance and digital infrastructure. WTO DG Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala hailed Nigeria's role as a pilot country, while Trade Minister Dr. Jumoke Oduwole stressed women's rightful place in the global digital marketplace.
Backed by the FIFA World Cup 2022 Legacy Fund, Bahrain, and the UAE, WEIDE attracted 600 applications, with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council named among its partners.
