The World Bank, in collaboration with the African non-profit startup DO Take Action, has introduced a major initiative to support Nigerian women entrepreneurs in scaling their businesses.
Co-Founder of DO Take Action, Precious Ebere announced on Thursday that the “Scaling Women’s Economic Empowerment Through Affirmative Procurement Reforms” (SWEEP) training programme was officially launched on 16 July 2024, in Abuja.
This initiative addresses the significant barriers women-led businesses encounter in accessing public procurement, which is vital for economic growth.
“Despite women owning 40% of businesses in Nigeria, they are still underrepresented in public procurement,” Ebere explained.
The SWEEP programme intends to bridge this gap by promoting policies that encourage gender equality in procurement.
Ebere noted that the programme will bolster women-owned businesses, equipping them to better compete in both public and private markets.
The initiative will deliver tailored training in essential business skills, financial management, and procurement processes, as well as support the formalisation of women-led businesses to increase their participation in public contracts.
The SWEEP programme aims to directly impact over 600 women-led businesses in three phases, with the first training beginning on 1 November 2024.
To enhance access, the training will be delivered through a hybrid model, combining online and in-person sessions for one month.
Women entrepreneurs in Abuja are encouraged to register.
Through the SWEEP initiative, the World Bank and DO Take Action aim to increase contract access for women-led enterprises, boost their marketplace visibility, and drive broader outcomes in economic empowerment, education, and poverty reduction.
Ebere emphasised, “This programme is aligned with the World Bank’s economic development goals and will contribute to a more inclusive and dynamic economy in Abuja.”