Abuja, Nigeria – April 30, 2025 – A significant opportunity has arrived for Nigerian women entrepreneurs with global aspirations. The WTO–ITC Women Exporters in the Digital Economy Fund (#WEIDEFund) has officially launched its call for applications in Nigeria, offering a transformative pathway for women-led businesses to scale, enhance their digital capabilities, and access international markets.
Launched by the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the International Trade Centre (ITC) in February 2024, the $50-million WEIDE Fund is a dedicated initiative to unlock opportunities in international trade and digital trade for women entrepreneurs. Recognizing the unique challenges faced by women in business, the fund is designed to provide comprehensive support across several crucial areas:
- Financial Access: Offering grants and support from financial institutions to help bridge the persistent finance gap that often hinders women-led enterprises.
- Skill Enhancement: Providing technical assistance and targeted training to boost digital skills and improve export competitiveness, enabling businesses to thrive in a globalized online environment.
- Market Connection: Facilitating access to international export markets by connecting more women entrepreneurs to various digital market platforms and e-commerce opportunities.
- Ecosystem Building: Fostering robust networks and support services, creating more inclusive and effective business ecosystems by leveraging strategic partnerships with both private and public sectors.
Who Can Benefit?
The WEIDE Fund is specifically targeting two key beneficiary groups:
- Women-led micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the formal sector that are already actively exporting or are export-ready and poised to begin.
- Women-led, micro and small enterprises in the formal sector that demonstrate clear export potential, even if they are not yet exporting.
To be eligible for the WEIDE Fund, women-led businesses must be export-ready and actively engaged—or keen to engage—in digital trade. They must also demonstrate strong potential for business growth and job creation, and importantly, be registered and operational in one of the initial target countries: the Dominican Republic, Jordan, Mongolia, or Nigeria.
The application process is meticulously managed by the WEIDE Fund Secretariat. In Nigeria, the WEIDE Fund has partnered with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), a key business support organization responsible for outreach and local engagement, ensuring that the initiative reaches deserving entrepreneurs across the nation.
The WEIDE Fund is backed by substantial support from the United Arab Emirates and the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ Legacy Fund, underscoring the global commitment to empowering women in trade.
How to Apply:
The call for applications for Nigeria (along with the Dominican Republic and Mongolia) officially opened on April 22, 2025. Interested women entrepreneurs are strongly encouraged to seize this opportunity by completing the online application before the deadline of May 18, 2025.
- Apply Online: (Please seek the direct application link from official WTO-ITC announcements or through the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, as the original “Click here to Apply” was not an active URL).
- Deadline: All online applications must be completed and submitted by May 18, 2025.
For any further questions or inquiries regarding the application process, applicants can directly contact the WEIDE Fund team via email at weidefund@intracen.org.
This open call signifies a momentous push towards fostering economic empowerment and digital inclusion for women-led businesses in Nigeria, paving the way for their successful integration into global digital trade. Women entrepreneurs ready to elevate their ventures and tap into international markets are highly encouraged to apply. Regularly check the WEIDE Fund’s official website and social media channels for updates, including details on the call for applications for Jordan.
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