Nigeria Launches $50 Million WEIDE Fund to Boost Women Exporters in Digital Economy

Nigeria on Friday hosted the official launch of the Women Exporters in the Digital Economy (WEIDE) Fund, a $50 million initiative jointly managed by the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the International Trade Centre (ITC) to empower women entrepreneurs through trade in the digital economy.

The country was selected as one of four pilot nations—alongside Jordan, the Dominican Republic, and Mongolia—after a competitive process. Out of 67,000 applicants nationwide, 146 Nigerian women entrepreneurs were chosen to receive grants to scale their businesses in the digital economy.

The event, held in Abuja, brought together top government officials, development partners, and private sector leaders. In attendance were the wife of the Vice President, H.E. Hajia Nana Kashim Shettima; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, H.E. Jumoke Oduwole; Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Enoh; Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim; and Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani.

Also present were Executive Director of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Ms. Nonye Ayeni; Comptroller-General of Customs, Mr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi; Managing Director of Fidelity Bank, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe; Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank, Ms. Miriam Olusanya; and Managing Director of Access Bank, Mr. Roosevelt Ogbonna.

Minister Oduwole lauded the initiative as a “transformational step” toward ensuring Nigerian women have the tools, financing, and market access needed to compete globally. She credited the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) and other partners for their support in making Nigeria’s selection as a pilot country possible.

The WEIDE Fund will provide both financial grants and capacity-building support to help women entrepreneurs leverage digital platforms, e-commerce, and cross-border trade opportunities. The pilot phase is expected to set a precedent for future expansion of the program across more countries.

The WTO and ITC say the fund’s goal is to close the gender gap in digital trade participation, create more inclusive value chains, and strengthen the role of women in driving economic growth.