ECOWAS–Ecobank Empowerment Programme for Women Traders advances  inclusive Trade in West Africa

On Tuesday, September 30, 2025, ECOWAS, in partnership with Ecobank, organized in Abuja,    Nigeria, a close-out event of the ECOWAS–Ecobank Empowerment Programme for Women    Traders which was designed to foster sustainable business growth and empower women-led SMEs across West Africa.

In his welcome address, Mr. Kolawole Sofola, Director of Trade at the ECOWAS Commission, speaking on behalf of H.E. Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission,          highlighted the transformative impact of the ECOWAS–Ecobank Empowerment Programme for Women Traders. He noted that, over the six-month pilot phase, participants benefitted from      capacity-building in areas such as financial literacy, product development, quality control, and confidence-building. Mr. Sofola emphasised that the mentorship component provided tailored guidance, enabling women traders to strengthen their business strategies, clarify their goals, and access new opportunities. He commended the mentors and partners for their invaluable support and stressed that the determination and success of the participants have given ECOWAS the confidence to scale the initiative to other Member States.

Mr. Michael Oyeyiola, Ecobank Nigeria’s Head of Corporate Banking for FCT and the Northern Region, reaffirmed Ecobank’s commitment to empowering women traders and SMEs across West Africa. “Through this partnership with ECOWAS, we have been able to provide women                entrepreneurs with access to tailored financial products, mentorship, and business tools that strengthen their competitiveness and resilience. Ecobank remains committed to advancing                 financial inclusion and scaling support for women-led businesses across the region,” he stated.

In her remarks, Mrs. Leticia Onu, Head of Export Inclusive Division at the Nigerian Export               Promotion Council (NEPC), speaking on behalf of the Executive Director/CEO of NEPC,                    emphasised that trade is not just an economic activity but a tool for empowerment, equity, and sustainable development. She added: “The women traders who participated in this programme are not just beneficiaries; they are trailblazers, redefining what intra-African trade looks like under the AfCFTA framework. At NEPC, we remain committed to supporting women-led enterprises through tailored export training, market access initiatives, and strategic partnerships.”

The event was marked by inspirational testimonials, which  demonstrated how the programme not only enhanced the technical and financial capacities of the women traders, fostered                  resilience, innovation, and sustainable growth in their businesses, but also accelerated their   personal development. Many highlighted the critical support received through the ECOWAS Commission in securing essential certifications—such as National Agency for Food & Drug            Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON)—which        enabled them to expand into new markets with greater credibility. Others spoke of significant improvements in product branding and advanced packaging that enhanced the competitiveness of their goods. Beneficiaries also recounted gains from bulk purchasing partnerships, the innovation of services into exportable products, and increased visibility through a stronger        digital presence.

Beyond business outcomes, many reflected on the boost in self-confidence, which not only strengthened their leadership but also inspired them to take bold, transformative steps in           advancing their enterprises. In the words of one beneficiary, “The ECOWAS–Ecobank                            Empowerment Programme for Women Traders has enabled me to transition into full-time                   entrepreneurship, allowing me to leave behind my corporate job. This Programme was a game-changer”.

The event concluded with a certificate presentation ceremony, where beneficiaries were awarded certificates of completion in recognition of their commitment and successful                   participation in the programme. In addition, the programme mentors were honoured with         certificates of appreciation to acknowledge their invaluable guidance, dedication, and support throughout the initiative.

The six-month pilot programme, involving over 50 women traders, was designed to foster           sustainable business growth and empower women-led SMEs across West Africa. This                      programme reflects ECOWAS’s commitment to mainstreaming gender across its regional              integration initiatives.