Nigerian Women Entrepreneurs Face Credibility & Market Barriers

Women entrepreneurs in Nigeria's energy sector have highlighted credibility, market acceptance and competition from established companies as key challenges affecting women-owned businesses. These barriers are particularly significant for those entering traditionally male-dominated areas of the industry.

The concerns were raised during a fireside chat at the Women in Energy Network (WIEN) Gala Awards Night in Lagos. Women leaders and experienced professionals from the energy sector shared their career journeys and discussed the challenges of establishing and sustaining businesses in the industry.

During the discussion, the participants identified building credibility as one of the biggest hurdles they faced when starting their businesses. They also highlighted the difficulties women entrepreneurs encounter in gaining market recognition and competing with established players in the sector.

Key Highlights:

• Women entrepreneurs in Nigeria's energy sector face challenges in credibility, market acceptance and competition
• Industry leaders highlighted the difficulty of building client trust and competing with long-established service providers
• WIEN called for more platforms to support women entrepreneurs, share experiences and inspire future women leaders in the energy sector

They said it is hard to get prospective customers to choose to buy from a company when having to compete with contractors that have been around for years, had built a relationship and gained recognition in the industry.

The question was not only about setting up a company but proving that a relatively new business could provide a superior service and compete with established players in the industry, the speakers said.

One of the women emphasized that establishing trust and demonstrating the company's capabilities with clients was challenging, as they had previously worked with established service providers. One of the women pointed out that it was important to build trust and prove the company's value to new clients who had been using the services of other providers for a long time.

It was a good chance for the participants to deepen their understanding of the not so talked about challenges faced by women entrepreneurs such as building a professional reputation, finding business opportunities and operating in a competitive market.

Bassey Adie, the moderator of the fireside chat, said the chat was meant to foster relaxed and frank discussions with the view of offering concrete experiences and concerns that may not be adequately covered at traditional industry events.

The session also highlighted the need to provide women with platforms to share their experiences, exchange ideas and inspire young women in the energy value chain who wish to create their own businesses in Nigeria.

The event was designed to foster a greater sense of community among businesses, while also showing the ways in which women can play a vital role in the development of the energy industry, particularly in sustainable energy. The event aimed to build community among businesses and demonstrate the value of women's contribution to energy industry development, especially sustainable energy.