NEPC chief says women are key to Nigeria’s export growth
Nigeria’s export ambitions are closely linked to the success of women entrepreneurs, according to Nonye Ayeni, Executive Director of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council. At the Women Exporters Conference in Abuja, she highlighted the country’s limited share in global trade and stressed the importance of women-led businesses in driving non-oil exports. The event brought together policymakers and industry leaders to discuss strategies for empowering women in the export sector. Ayeni and other officials emphasized that supporting women entrepreneurs is essential for inclusive economic growth.
TLDR
- Nonye Ayeni revealed that out of the $24.5tn global merchandise exports recorded in 2024, Africa accounted for just 3.5%, with Nigeria contributing only 0.26%.
- She stated that in 2025, Nigeria achieved its highest-ever non-oil export performance, reaching $6.1bn and 8.02 million metric tonnes.
- In 2025 alone, NEPC conducted 728 capacity-building programmes across all states and Abuja, impacting over 97,000 people.
- A $50m fund was launched in 2024 by the WTO and ITC to support women in digital trade, with over 67,000 Nigerian women applying and 146 selected.
- Officials and stakeholders at the conference agreed that improving access to finance, training, and global market standards is crucial for women-led export businesses.
