The World Commerce Group (WTO) and the Worldwide Commerce Centre (ITC) have launched a $50 million Girls Exporters within the Digital Economic system (WEIDE) Fund, with Nigeria named as certainly one of 4 pilot nations alongside Jordan, Mongolia, and the Dominican Republic.
The programme, unveiled in Abuja by WTO Director-Common Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, goals to assist ladies entrepreneurs compete within the fast-growing digital financial system by way of funding, coaching, and market entry.
The WTO DG stated Nigeria is amongst 4 nations chosen as pilot nations, with 146 Nigerian ladies chosen to obtain grants for increasing their digital financial system companies.
“Nigeria is certainly one of 4 nations that efficiently competed to be a pilot nation alongside Jordan, the Dominican Republic, and Mongolia. 146 Nigerian ladies have been chosen by way of a aggressive course of from 67,000 candidates to obtain grants to broaden their companies within the digital financial system,” she stated
Individuals come from sectors akin to vogue, tourism, agriculture, IT, and manufacturing, and might be skilled to promote on international platforms, navigate export guidelines, and join with traders.
Minister of State for Trade, John Owan Enoh, stated he’s assured the funds will increase Nigerian ladies’s participation in international markets and drive industrial development.
“I’m assured that these funds, when channelled successfully, won’t solely strengthen ladies’s participation in international markets but in addition propel industrial development, foster innovation, and encourage the following era of feminine trailblazers.
As a nation, we should proceed to help, put money into, and have a good time the ladies who’re constructing companies, breaking limitations, and shaping the way forward for our financial system,” he stated
In 2024, Nigeria’s export earnings reached a historic N77.4 trillion, with the momentum carrying into 2025 as whole exports rose to N20.6 trillion within the first quarter. This marked a 7.42% improve from Q1 2024 and a 2.92% rise from This fall 2024.
Crude oil remained dominant, accounting for N12.96 trillion or 62.89% of whole exports, whereas non-crude oil exports have been valued at N7.64 trillion, with non-oil merchandise making up N3.17 trillion. Mineral merchandise led export classes with N17.56 trillion, adopted by ready foodstuffs, drinks, spirits, vinegar, and tobacco price N1.43 trillion, and chemical and allied trade merchandise price N869.5 billion.
Europe was Nigeria’s largest export vacation spot in Q1 2025, receiving N8.64 trillion price of products, adopted by Asia with N6.75 trillion and America with N3.33 trillion.
Exports to Africa totaled N1.85 trillion, with ECOWAS nations accounting for 57.58% of that. South Africa, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Togo, and Ghana collectively took 93.91% of African exports.
On imports, China remained Nigeria’s prime associate with N4.66 trillion, adopted by India (N1.72 trillion), the US (N1.42 trillion), the Netherlands (N809.83 billion), and the UAE (N617.18 billion). Inside Africa, Angola, Togo, South Africa, Algeria, and Egypt have been the primary import sources.
