The Women Exporters in the Digital Economy (WEIDE) Fund, created by the WTO Secretariat and the International Trade Centre (ITC) in 2024, has announced its first group of beneficiaries in Nigeria.The Fund confirmed that women-led micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the country have been selected to receive tailored support aimed at strengthening their digital skills, financial preparedness and export potential.
The application process in Nigeria drew an overwhelming response, with over 67,000 submissions. Out of this, 146 businesses were chosen to join the first cohort. Further announcements are expected soon for selected companies in the Dominican Republic and Mongolia, while Jordan is preparing to launch its application phase.
Speaking at the event in Abuja, WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala explained the ambition behind the initiative. “The goal of the fund is simple, but ambitious: to give women the tools, the knowledge, the networks, and the resources they need to access global value chains, so their businesses are not just surviving, but thriving, on the world stage.”
“At the WTO, we found that women who trade internationally earn, on average, 2.8 times more than women who only sell locally,” the Director-General added. “That’s a game-changer. And if you add the power of digital trade, the opportunities multiply even further.”
ITC Executive Director Pamela Coke-Hamilton also addressed participants in a video message. “We know that running a business is never easy, and that women face even greater barriers than men in everything from access to finance to access to skills training. We know that when it comes to exporting, the road for women-led businesses is even harder — and the digital economy can help as much as it can hurt. We hear you, and we will continue walking alongside you, fighting for a trading system and business environment that finally reflects and empowers all of society.”
In each participating country, selected MSMEs will take part in a two-day programme that begins with a high-level launch event, followed by in-person technical training and capacity building. This will mark the start of their 12-month involvement in the WEIDE programme.
The WEIDE Fund, worth US$50 million, is backed by the United Arab Emirates, the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Legacy Fund, and Bahrain. Its aim is to help women-led MSMEs overcome trade barriers by improving their access to finance, digital expertise, international markets, and business support networks.
Four organisations will support the programme in its respective regions: ProDominicana, the Jordan Enterprise Development Corporation (JEDCO), the Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MNCCI), and the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC).
