The World Trade Organisation has kicked off the first phase of its Women Exporters in Digital Economy (WEIDE) Fund in Nigeria, aiming to inject $50 million into opportunities for women-led businesses in the digital sector.

Under the initiative, 16 selected Nigerian women entrepreneurs will receive $30,000 each and 18 months of technical support, while another 130 beneficiaries will gain $5,000 and a year of dedicated business assistance.

The fund, a collaboration between the WTO and the International Trade Centre (ITC), is designed to empower women-led micro, small, and medium enterprises by improving access to finance, building competitiveness, and connecting them to global markets.

Speaking at the launch in Abuja, First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, represented by Hajiya Nana Shettima, highlighted the programme’s alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to diversify the economy and strengthen women-led enterprises.

“The WEIDE Fund directly addresses longstanding barriers such as limited access to finance, networks, and digital infrastructure, helping women reach their full economic potential,” Senator Tinubu said. She commended the WTO and ITC for creating a platform that allows Nigerian entrepreneurs to bring their innovations to the international stage.

WTO Director-General Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala reiterated the fund’s objectives, emphasizing that 146 women entrepreneurs were selected for support in the first phase, with “booster track” participants receiving higher funding and extended technical assistance.

Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Dr. Jumoke Oduwole described the initiative as a global statement recognizing women as equal partners in digital trade. “Nigeria’s selection as a pilot country underscores the nation’s potential and commitment to growth in digital commerce,” she said.

Customs Comptroller-General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi pledged to simplify export procedures for women entrepreneurs, promising faster processing and smoother access to global markets. Goodwill messages were also delivered by the Minister of Women Affairs, Iman Suleiman-Ibrahim, and the Minister of Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijjani.