Nigeria Backs Women-led Businesses at UK-Nigeria Trade Mission

• The Federal Government emphasized its commitment to open new markets and enhance trade with the UK
• The focus is on helping small businesses owned by Nigerian women operate and compete globally

The Federal Government has reiterated its support for developing new markets and increasing bilateral trade as women-led small businesses in Nigeria seek to become more competitive globally.

This was the message from Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, during the launch of the UK-Nigeria Trade Mission at Abuja under the Commonwealth + She Trades Program.

In her address, Oduwole stated that this initiative supports and aligns with President Bola Tinubu's agenda of Renewed Hope which promotes economic diversification, the empowerment of SMEs (Small and Medium Size Enterprises), and the increased non-oil export of the country.

Oduwole expressed the initiative is already helping women-led businesses gain access to markets with support of practical guidance related to entry pathways in the UK for markets such as fresh produce, processed foods and wellness and beauty items - to ensure that Nigerian products meet global quality, safety and identity standards.

She further added that the trade mission is connecting valuable partnerships between businesses in Nigeria and UK importers, to establish valuable and beneficial long-term trade partnerships that will lead to increased exports, job creation and sustainable growth in women-led MSMEs (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises).

She also emphasized the need for international visibility, noting that if consumers increase their awareness of Nigerian brands; this would lead to increased investment, greater market share, and open up more avenues for growth.

The minister mentioned an updated element of the Nigeria-UK trade relationship, highlighting that the UK has approved tariff relief for nearly 3,000 Nigerian goods under the Developing Countries Trading Scheme, thereby increasing opportunities for women-led exporters in particular to grow and enter markets at lower costs.

As explained by the Executive Director/Chief Executive of NEPC, Nonye Ayeni, the mission exemplifies collective values and commitment to inclusive and sustainable trade habits.

Nonye made the point that NEPC's goal was to boost the ability of Nigeria in the global non-oil export sector while also preparing women entrepreneurs for effective participation.

She followed up by stating that the SheTrades Nigeria Hub, developed with the International Trade Centre and with support from the UK Government, has now grown to be an important avenue for discussions on improving market access and building business capacity for women-led businesses.

She went on to stress that the mission opens doors for improving economic ties between our two countries, attracting local and foreign direct investments and creating shared strategies for shared economic opportunity.

Nonye also disclosed that in March 2025, the NEPC was granted acceptance as an implementing partner to the WTO/ITC Women Exporters in the Digital Economy (WEIDE) Fund, which 146 women-led enterprises and businesses benefitted from.

NEPC also indicated that this WEIDE Fund promotes entrepreneurship development via digital tools and builds a better on-line presence.

Additionally, she noted that NEPC is continuing its training of small businesses on the process of export including market development, packaging and branding, and digital commerce to better position them in the global market.