Mohammed Shosanya
The ECOWAS – Ecobank Women Traders Empowerment Programme has been launched in Abuja.
The development marks a significant step forward in empowering Nigerian women entrepreneurs with the tools and support they need to grow their businesses and access regional and continental markets.
The initiative,which is currently being piloted in Nigeria, aims to foster women-led businesses through business training, mentoring, and financial access, along with the introduction of platforms such as Ecobank’s ELLEVATE programme and the Single Market Trade Hub, designed to prepare participants for cross-border trade under AfCFTA, the ECOWAS said .
Running for six months, the programme offers mentorship, coaching, and funding opportunities, reflecting ECOWAS’s commitment to economic inclusion and sustainable development.
Supported by business associations and public-private partnerships, the initiative seeks to unlock the potential of women-led businesses, foster regional prosperity, and strengthen market integration.