NEPC targets women-led growth as Nigeria’s Oil exports hit $6.1bn

By Austine Agbo Emmanuel

The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) says it is scaling up support for women-led businesses to boost Nigeria’s share of global trade, after the country recorded its highest-ever non-oil exports of $6.1 billion in 2025.

NEPC Executive Director/CEO Nonye Ayeni disclosed this at the Women Exporters Conference held at the NEPC Auditorium, Maitama, Abuja.

The conference, themed “Strengthening Women-led Businesses for Resilience, Recovery and Inclusive Economic Growth,” drew the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Minister of Women Affairs, Special Advisor to the President on Exports Aliyu Sherrif, former Women Affairs Minister Dame Pauline Tallen, and WTO DG’s Special Assistant Nichole Mensa, among others.

Ayeni said non-oil export is pivotal to inclusive growth, noting that Nigeria has the products, skills, and people to compete globally.

“In 2024, global merchandise exports stood at approximately $24.5 trillion. Africa accounted for just 3.5% of that total with about $840 billion, and Nigeria’s share was only 0.26%,” she said.

“Considering Nigeria’s GDP is about $290 billion with over 220 million people, there is still a gap. However, that gap represents opportunity.”

She revealed that in 2025, Nigeria exported 281 distinct products to 210 countries and recorded its highest non-oil export value of $6.1 billion and volume of 8.02 million metric tonnes, both records since NEPC’s establishment.

Ayeni credited the result to President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the policy thrust of the Trade Ministry, NEPC programmes, and “the hard work of exporters, particularly SMEs.”

Ayeni stressed that SMEs make up 96% of Nigerian businesses, and women own about 40% of them.

“Women-led businesses make significant contributions through employment generation, income creation, and enterprise development across key sectors,” she said. “You cannot achieve inclusive growth without them.”

Ayeni highlighted the Women Exporters in the Digital Economy (WEIDE) Fund, a $50 million initiative by the WTO and ITC to support women in digital trade.

NEPC was selected as one of four Business Support Organisations globally to implement phase one. Over 67,000 Nigerian women applied. 146 were selected.

“These women are here. They will receive training, personalised coaching, mentorship, and grant support ranging from $5,000 to $30,000,” Ayeni said. “More importantly, they are being positioned to compete globally through digital platforms.”

Ayeni said the conference was not just a gathering but “a working platform” to tackle export readiness, standards compliance, access to finance, digital trade, and market access.

“At NEPC, we will continue to create opportunities and strengthen systems that make exports more accessible. But what you take away from here depends on you. Be intentional. Engage,” she told participants.

“If you want to create generational wealth, you invest in a woman. Women are made of sterner stuff. Our strength is not usually loud, but it has the force of dynamite that can break barriers and move mountains.”

She urged women to connect, build relationships, and “dare to take bold steps.”