Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, recently met with President Bola Tinubu and praised his administration’s efforts to stabilize the Nigerian economy. She described the meeting as “very good,” noting that economic stability is a “necessary foundation for growth.”
Empowering Women Entrepreneurs
Following her meeting with the President, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala joined First Lady Oluremi Tinubu to launch the Women Exporters Fund. This new initiative, managed by the WTO and the International Trade Centre (ITC), aims to help Nigerian women grow their businesses, create jobs, and increase household incomes.
Nigeria was one of only four countries selected globally for this program. Out of 67,000 Nigerian women who applied, 146 were chosen as beneficiaries.
• Booster Track: Sixteen winners will receive 18 months of technical and business support to scale up their existing businesses.
• Business Development: Another 100 women will each receive $5,000 and a year of business development support.
• Tailored Assistance: The remaining beneficiaries will get customized support to strengthen their enterprises.
The Path Forward: Growth and Social Safety Nets.
Dr. Okonjo-Iweala, a former Finance Minister, acknowledged the Tinubu administration’s hard work in stabilizing the economy, calling the reforms a step in the right direction. She emphasized that the next phase must focus on growth and job creation.
She also stressed the importance of building social safety nets to support those affected by the reforms. According to her, growth and income expansion must be accompanied by measures that cushion the impact on vulnerable Nigerians.
