Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has cautioned that Nigeria’s low internet penetration threatens its ability to benefit from the booming global digital trade market, currently valued at US$4.25 trillion.
Speaking in Abuja on Thursday at the launch of the Women Exporters in the Digital Economy (WEIDE) Fund, Okonjo-Iweala noted that only 45 percent of Nigerians have internet access, far below the global average of 67 percent.
“No nation can truly digitize without a steady supply of electricity and reliable, affordable internet,” she said. “More than half of Nigerians remain disconnected, and this gap must be closed if we are to seize the opportunities of digital trade.”
Nigeria is among four countries—alongside Jordan, Mongolia, and the Dominican Republic—selected for the WEIDE Fund’s 2024 rollout after a highly competitive process. The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), led by Executive Director Nonye Ayeni, will oversee local implementation.
Over 67,000 Nigerian women entrepreneurs applied for the programme, prompting an increase in the number of awardees from 100 to 146. Sixteen participants in the Booster Track will receive up to US$30,000 each and 18 months of technical assistance, while 130 participants in the Discovery Track will get up to US$5,000 each and one year of business support. Beneficiaries span sectors including agriculture, IT, fashion, hospitality, beauty, and manufacturing.
Okonjo-Iweala stressed the need for inter-ministerial collaboration among the Ministries of Communications, Industry, and Power to improve connectivity and infrastructure, particularly for women-led enterprises.
“When women trade internationally, they earn almost three times more than those who sell locally. The WEIDE Fund is about giving Nigerian women the tools, skills, and market access to multiply those gains,” she added.
Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, pledged government support, highlighting women entrepreneurs’ unique ability to create impactful solutions.
President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Dr. Dele Oye, praised the programme for strengthening Nigeria’s position in the digital economy and supporting its ambition to achieve a $1 trillion GDP.
