Women led SMEs to unlock about N20billion for Nigeria’s economy by 2023
A recent study conducted by Development Economics on behalf of Facebook has disclosed that Nigerian women in the Small and Medium Enterprise segment will contribute N19.76billion to Nigeria’s economy in the next five years.
The report which reflects the growing role women are playing in the growth and development of the local economy also projects that businesses that are going to be set up by women within same period will create 8.9million jobs.
And in the spirit of encouraging these women entrepreneurs, Facebook, in partnership with She Leads Africa (SLA), has launched She Means Business, an initiative that aims to train 4000 women entrepreneurs, women-owned and women-led businesses to utilize and leverage Facebook, Instagram and other digital tools for their business success.
“We know that when women do better, economies do better” commented Ebele Okobi, Facebook Public Policy Director, Africa, who also stressed that the study conducted by Development Economics further places a greater importance on the role of women’s entrepreneurial ambitions for overall economic and social development in the country.
The launch which was held in Lagos on March 27, 2018 had in attendance women entrepreneurs who have leveraged the digital platforms to advance their businesses. And it is the first in Nigeria, having been earlier launched in a number of European and Arab countries.
The training will be held across a number of Nigerian cities including Lagos, Kaduna, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Abuja and Aba. With applications opening on March 27th 2018 at sheleadsafrica.org/shemeansbusiness, training sessions will then be followed by post-training clinics aimed at re-engaging, advising and mentoring participants.
Facebook’s SMB Sales Manager, EMEA, Abi Williams, said #SheMeansBusiness aims to empower personal business ambitions and create opportunities for would-be entrepreneurs in Nigeria to meet and learn from others. She said: “In Nigeria women form the backbone of a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem, with the number of new women-owned small business Pages on Facebook increasing by 319 per cent between 2016 and 2017.
At the launch, three women; Oyindamola Honey Ogundeyi, CEO, Fashpa; Bella Adeniran, Founder, Naphtali Party Rentals; Anike Lawal founder Mamalette shared their success stories on how they have used Facebook to grow their businesses, during a session moderated by Abi Williams, Facebook’s SMB Sales Manager, Europe Middle East and Africa (EMEA).
Commenting on the partnership and trainings Afua Osei, Co-Founder of She Leads Africa added “We’re excited to continue our partnership with Facebook to expand access to the digital skills necessary to move African businesses forward. We know that with the right tools and support, African women can compete on a global level and we look forward to taking these critical digital tools to entrepreneurs all across Nigeria.”
“In Nigeria women form the backbone of a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem, with the number of new women-owned small business Pages on Facebook increasing by 319 percent between 2016 and 2017”, said Abi Williams Facebook’s SMB Sales Manager, EMEA. “#SheMeansBusiness aims to empower personal business ambitions and create opportunities for would-be entrepreneurs in Nigeria to meet and learn from others.”
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