Jordan Launches WEIDE Fund for Women's Businesses in Global Trade

• Jordan women business owners can obtain grants and financing from the WEIDE Fund
• It is operated by the WTO and International Trade Centre (ITC)
• The program is aimed at supporting women business owners in their digital competence

Jordan's women-owned enterprises are now in a position to apply for technical support and grants under the Women Exporters in the Digital Economy (WEIDE) Fund.

Funded and coordinated jointly by the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the World Trade Organization (WTO) Secretariat, the initiative seeks to empower women entrepreneurs to enhance their digital capacities and establish global markets.

The Jordan application period is between 29 September and 26 October and will be applied together with the Jordan Enterprise Development Corporation (JEDCO).

Launched in February 2024 at the 13th Ministerial Conference of the WTO in Abu Dhabi, the USD 50 million fund targets women-owned micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) that are involved in digital trade.

In its first round earlier this year, WEIDE received over 69,000 applications from women business owners in the Dominican Republic, Mongolia, and Nigeria, and 236 applicants were selected to receive support.

The WEIDE Fund offers two levels of grants: Discovery Grants to a maximum of USD 5,000 to early-stage companies, and Booster Grants to a maximum of USD 30,000 for established companies that are in a position to scale their digital and export businesses. They also receive access to mentorship, technical assistance, and global business networks.

According to WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the fund stands as evidence of the WTO Secretariat's commitment to provide women-owned businesses with the information, resources, and networks they need to trade, create jobs, and give back to society.

ITC’s Executive Director Pamela Coke-Hamilton commented that the WEIDE Fund will help close financing gaps while also supporting women-owned businesses enter global markets and reach sustainable growth.

The WEIDE Fund is financed by the United Arab Emirates, the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Legacy Fund, and the Kingdom of Bahrain.