The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has secured $10 million in investments to support women entrepreneurs in Nigeria through its #HerAfCFTA initiative. This milestone forms part of UNDP’s broader effort to empower women-led businesses under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework.
The #HerAfCFTA programme offers comprehensive support to women entrepreneurs, including capacity building, market access, trade facilitation, business networking, investment, and digitalization. The initiative aligns with AfCFTA’s goals of enhancing intra-African trade and fostering economic development, providing women entrepreneurs with opportunities to formalize and expand their businesses while entering new markets.
At the #HerAfCFTA forum in Abuja, themed Empowering Women-led Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises for Continental Trade Opportunities, UNDP National Programme Specialist Ms. Clare Henshaw announced the successful facilitation of $10 million in seed funding from trade lenders.
“This investment is just the beginning,” Henshaw noted. “We have also identified additional business opportunities and partnerships for women and youth entrepreneurs. However, readiness is key to accessing these resources.”
The initiative, launched six months ago, aims to raise $30 million in total to support women entrepreneurs across Nigeria.
Ms. Elsie Attafuah, UNDP Nigeria Resident Representative, represented by Senior Economic Advisor Mr. Tony Muhuuza, emphasized the initiative’s commitment to equipping women with the tools and knowledge to succeed in the AfCFTA ecosystem.
“Our #HerAfCFTA initiative focuses on addressing the unique challenges faced by women entrepreneurs,” Attafuah said. “This includes providing access to market intelligence, fostering business networks, and offering technical and financial support to scale their operations.”
She highlighted three core components of the initiative:
Her Insight – Empowering women with critical market intelligence and policy support to enhance their competitiveness.
Her Network – Facilitating business-to-business connections through virtual matchmaking and in-person events.
Her Facility – Providing financial and technical support for scaling businesses, including trade facilitation, branding, and export readiness.
Attafuah envisioned a future where women-led businesses thrive across Africa, driving economic growth and shaping trade policies. She called on policymakers, partners, and entrepreneurs to collaborate in building an inclusive and innovative trade ecosystem.
“Imagine a Nigeria where women-led businesses dominate export markets, and their voices shape trade negotiations,” she said. “This vision starts with collective commitment and action.”
The #HerAfCFTA initiative reflects UNDP’s dedication to unlocking the potential of women entrepreneurs, ensuring their success in regional and international markets while advancing the broader goals of the AfCFTA.
