The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has assured beneficiaries of the $50 million Women Exporters in the Digital Economy (WEIDE) Fund that the first tranche of grants under the programme will be disbursed in the first quarter of 2026, following the completion of ongoing capacity-building and compliance processes.
The assurance was given during a Town Hall Meeting for WEIDE Fund beneficiaries held on Wednesday in Abuja, where beneficiaries, coaches and programme partners reviewed progress made since the fund was launched in August 2025.
The $50 million WEIDE Fund is a global initiative by the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and International Trade Centre (ITC) to empower women-led businesses in developing countries, especially Nigeria, by providing training, finance, and market access for digital trade, helping them grow from small enterprises to global players through support like grants and mentorship, as seen in its launch phase benefiting 146 Nigerian women entrepreneurs.
Speaking at the event, Nonye Ayeni, Executive Director/CEO, NEPC, called on beneficiaries of the WEIDE Fund to maximize the opportunities provided by the programme, emphasising the progress made and the milestones achieved since its launch.
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Ayeni said the engagement was meant to review the programme’s achievements, identify areas for improvement, and strengthen support for the beneficiaries.
“So it’s time for us to get together at the end of the year to see how far we’ve gone, how well we’ve done, and what we need to do to make it better and support them more effectively through the WEIDE Fund,” she said.
Ayeni highlighted the significant capacity-building activities conducted for the 146 selected women entrepreneurs, noting that top-tier coaches and trainers had been deployed immediately after the official launch in August by Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, DG of the World Trade Organisation.
“These coaches are exceptional. They’ve trained our beneficiaries in financial literacy, bookkeeping, soft skills, leadership, succession planning, and digital tools so they can compete globally,” she said.
She added that both virtual and physical training sessions have been conducted in Lagos and Abuja, equipping the participants with a comprehensive skill set, while awareness and integration into the NEPC’s mandate continue.
Ayeni further stated that additional training in packaging, value addition, mentorship, and overall business grooming had been carried out, making the 146 beneficiaries a uniquely empowered cohort.
“This is a lifetime opportunity. NEPC is the only agency in Africa and one of only four globally involved in this initiative. This is an opportunity they shouldn’t miss. They should take it seriously and draw all the benefits the programme has to offer,” she said.
Ndubueze Okeke, Director, Trade Information Department, said the town hall was convened to take stock of the programme’s implementation, identify challenges faced by beneficiaries and strengthen support mechanisms.
He described WEIDE as a game-changing initiative being implemented in partnership with WTO and ITC to equip Nigerian women exporters with the skills needed to compete in the global digital economy.
“The success of WEIDE will not be measured only by grants disbursed, but by businesses strengthened, markets accessed, jobs created and women-led enterprises that become more resilient and globally competitive,” he said.
Okeke explained that Nigeria’s selection as one of only four pilot countries worldwide underscored the confidence reposed in the country’s women entrepreneurs and in NEPC’s role as a coordinating institution.
According to him, over 67,000 applications were received nationwide, from which 146 women-led businesses were selected after a rigorous screening process.
Also speaking, Moboni Alemika, WEIDE Fund focal person at NEPC, said the initiative had already demonstrated the resilience and determination of Nigerian women entrepreneurs, even in difficult circumstances.
She stressed the need for a more enabling environment for women-led businesses, noting that issues such as access to land, inheritance rights and taxation continue to affect women entrepreneurs.
Alemika disclosed that the global WEIDE Fund is a $50 million multi-donor initiative and that Nigeria was allocated 100 slots for the pilot phase but expanded participation to 146 beneficiaries.
She explained that beneficiaries fall into two categories: the Discovery Track, which offers grants of up to $5,000 for early-stage businesses, and the Booster Track, which provides up to $30,000 for more established enterprises seeking to scale.
She added that the first tranche of grants would be released in the first quarter of 2026, after beneficiaries complete additional training sessions scheduled for February, with disbursement expected in March. “We want to ensure that the funds are properly utilised and that beneficiaries are fully prepared, unlike other grants where recipients disappear after collection,” she said.
One of the beneficiaries, Helen Nnaemeka, Chief Executive Officer of Helencia Foods, described the programme as a transformative learning experience.
She said while some beneficiaries initially expected immediate disbursement after the August launch, the rigorous audits, training and compliance checks had helped them better understand business structures and financial management.
“Even without the funds yet, the training alone has been a huge support for our businesses,” she said.
