Collins Sefa The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced an ambitious plan to empower over 5 million women entrepreneurs through financial capacity building and business support, aimed at unlocking the economic potential of women across the country.
Building a Generation of Women Entrepreneurs
Hajia Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim, the Minister of Women Affairs, shared this vision during the 2025 Pre-5th Colloquium organized by the Pan-African Africa Young Women. The event, themed ‘Women Entrepreneurs as Catalysts for Sustainable Development and Economic Growth’, highlighted the crucial role women play in driving economic growth through entrepreneurship.
“We are scaling up the ‘Nigerian Women Project’, designed to support more than five million women across Nigeria with financial capacity building, entrepreneurship training, and access to markets,” Suleiman-Ibrahim stated.
Key Entrepreneurship Initiatives for Nigerian Women
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Business Training and Financial Support: Providing women with the skills and funding needed to start and grow their businesses.
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Digital Skills for the Future: Equipping women with digital tools and training to compete in the modern economy.
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Energy and Sustainability Projects: Supporting women-led businesses in the renewable energy sector.
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Breaking Structural Barriers: Promoting policies that remove obstacles for women entrepreneurs.
Building Resilient Women-Led Businesses
The project aims to empower women to build businesses that can thrive even in challenging economic conditions, creating jobs and economic stability in their communities.
“Young African women must be equipped with the inspiration, platforms, and resources needed to build successful businesses and take charge of their economic futures,” Suleiman-Ibrahim emphasized.
Connecting Women Entrepreneurs Across Borders
Dr. Jophia Gupar, Founder of Pan-African Africa Young Women, spoke about the importance of creating networks for women entrepreneurs through initiatives like the African Women’s Colloquium on Development and Awards, set for October 2025 in Cape Town, South Africa.
“Our goal is to connect women entrepreneurs across 27 African countries, creating a powerful support network for growth and collaboration,” Gupar said.
Entrepreneurship Topics Discussed at the Event:
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Building Sustainable Businesses
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Access to Funding and Markets
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Digital Entrepreneurship
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Leadership and Business Strategy
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Overcoming Gender Barriers
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Impact Investing for Women Entrepreneurs
Empowering the Next Generation of African Women Entrepreneurs
The event attracted a diverse group of participants, including government officials, business leaders, and representatives from civil society organizations committed to supporting women-led businesses.
