Nigeria Secures $50m WTO Fund For Women Digital Exporters

Nigeria has secured a $50 million grant from the World Trade Organization’s Women Exporters in the Digital Economy (WEIDE) Fund, designed to empower women-led businesses in international trade through digital platforms.
The announcement was made by WTO director-general Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, during a meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the sidelines of the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The fund, jointly launched by the WTO and the International Trade Centre (ITC) in February 2024, is aimed at scaling up women-owned enterprises and increasing their participation in global e-commerce.
“Catching up with H.E President Tinubu @officialABAT at the BRICS Leaders Summit in Rio de Janeiro,” Okonjo-Iweala wrote on her official X handle. “Talking about Nigeria’s successful bid for the @WTO-@ITCnews WEIDE Fund, designed to support women in digital trade. This fund will help scale up women-owned enterprises in the digital space. Congratulations Nigeria!”
The WEIDE Fund targets women entrepreneurs in developing and least-developed countries, providing them with financial and technical support to expand their businesses using digital tools and access new international markets.
Speaking during the summit, President Tinubu called for greater equity and inclusion for low-income and emerging economies in the global financial architecture, stressing the need for fairer access to opportunities in the digital and trade ecosystems.
The fund is expected to serve as a critical resource for improving the competitiveness of Nigerian women-led businesses, enhancing job creation, and accelerating inclusive economic growth through digital trade.