Women business owners in Nigeria are being encouraged to harness the power of technology and innovation to expand their ventures and compete on a global scale in today’s fast-evolving digital economy.
Judith Ojevwe Nwachukwu, Chairperson of the Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME), Delta State chapter, delivered this message during her keynote address at the recent ‘She Can With ICT Graduation and Expo’ in Lagos. The event, organized by the Women’s Technology Empowerment Centre (W.TEC), celebrated the graduation of over 5,000 women who completed fashion and tech-focused training.
Tech Tools for Growth and Global Reach
Nwachukwu emphasized that integrating technology into their business operations would allow female entrepreneurs to scale faster, boost revenue, and compete internationally. She urged them to adopt tools that improve efficiency and broaden their market reach.
She also encouraged women to build strong networks, collaborate with peers, and cultivate a resilient mindset that helps them overcome societal limitations and push beyond barriers often placed on women in business.
Digital Marketing and Visibility
Lola Olusola, Director at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) and co-founder of Horizon Shores, also spoke at the event, stressing the importance of digital marketing. She pointed out that a significant rise in the number of Nigerian female entrepreneurs would depend on how well they adopt digital tools to increase visibility and attract customers.
Bridging the Digital Divide
Mrs. Oreoluwa Lesi, Executive Director of W.TEC, explained that the training was designed specifically for women in fashion design who lacked digital know-how. Backed by the ACT Foundation and Access Bank, the programme equipped thousands of participants with practical tech and business knowledge through an online training model.
Lesi noted that many of the women began their entrepreneurial journey with minimal funding, often relying on personal or family resources. The programme was tailored to help them leverage technology to overcome financial constraints, by teaching them how to build a strong online presence and utilize cost-effective digital marketing strategies.
From Training to Transformation
She concluded by urging the graduates to put their new skills into practice and use technology to not only grow but transform their businesses.
“This training is not just about learning—it’s about action,” Lesi said. “Now that these women understand how to apply tech solutions to their businesses, the next step is to implement what they’ve learned and thrive.”
