Nigeria’s Northern women entrepreneurs are being encouraged to formalise their businesses and meet international trade requirements to unlock growing export opportunities across Africa and beyond.
The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) issued the call during a women-focused business event held in Kaduna in collaboration with other stakeholders.
Yusuf Ahmed, representing the NEPC, said entrepreneurs need to understand the requirements of international trade, particularly as businesses prepare to take advantage of opportunities created by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
He urged women business owners to formally register their enterprises with the relevant authorities, arguing that formalisation can provide access to training, counselling and other support services needed to prepare businesses for wider markets.
However, Ahmed stressed that registering a company alone does not make it export-ready. Entrepreneurs also need to register with organisations such as NEPC and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) to access support and better understand export requirements.
Product quality and compliance will also be critical.
Northern entrepreneurs were encouraged to improve their products, understand the requirements of target markets and meet applicable standards before attempting to enter international markets.
For many small businesses, meeting these requirements can be a significant step towards moving from informal local trade into structured regional and international commerce.
Sa’adatu Hamma, founder of Designed to Become, urged women entrepreneurs to continue developing their skills and adapting to changing market trends.
She also highlighted the growing importance of digital platforms, encouraging businesses to use tools such as WhatsApp channels, status updates and broadcast lists to promote products and communicate directly with potential customers.
The Women Entrepreneurs Development Forum is also supporting initiatives designed to improve access to training, funding and microfinance for women-led businesses.
Rabi Saulawa, President of Jama’iyyar Matan Arewa, said her involvement helped facilitate the NEPC’s participation and expose northern entrepreneurs to the opportunities and requirements associated with accessing larger markets.
She noted that many entrepreneurs still need assistance with product development, marketing and compliance with required standards.
The range of businesses represented by northern women also demonstrates the potential for broader participation in regional trade. Opportunities exist across areas including catering, oil production, bead-making, fashion and beauty services.
The push for greater formalisation comes as AfCFTA continues to create opportunities for African businesses to reach consumers beyond their domestic markets. For smaller women-owned enterprises, access to information, finance, product development and export support could determine whether those opportunities translate into actual international sales.
Strengthening the capacity of women-led businesses could therefore help Nigeria expand its pool of export-ready small and medium-sized enterprises while allowing more entrepreneurs to participate in Africa’s growing regional trade economy.