Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Leads Launch of $50m WEIDE Fund in Nigeria to Boost Women in Digital Trade

Nigeria on Thursday hosted the grand 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 in global digital trade.

The event, led by WTO Director-General and former Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, marked Nigeria’s selection as one of only four pilot countries — alongside Jordan, the Dominican Republic, and Mongolia — after a competitive global process.

From a pool of 67,000 applicants, 146 Nigerian women entrepreneurs emerged successful to receive grants aimed at scaling their businesses in the digital economy.

Dr. Okonjo-Iweala hailed the achievement as a milestone for women-led enterprises in Nigeria, congratulating the awardees and commending the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, under Minister Jumoke Oduwole, for driving the successful launch in partnership with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC).

The high-profile ceremony drew a host of dignitaries, including 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; Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani; NEPC Executive Director, Ms. Nonye Ayeni; Comptroller-General of Customs, Mr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi; MD of Fidelity Bank, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe; MD of Guaranty Trust Bank, Ms. Miriam Olusanya; and MD of Access Bank, Mr. Roosevelt Ogbonna.

The WEIDE Fund aims to support women entrepreneurs to harness opportunities in the digital economy, expand export capacity, and contribute to inclusive economic growth.