This article proposes ways to achieve the active participation of Nigerian women in international trade.

Women’s participation in trade is growing worldwide, although at a low level of competitiveness. Due to some growth bottlenecks, Nigerian women comprise only 41% of micro-business owners. There are around 23 million female entrepreneurs versus 33 million male counterparts. Most women work in trade due to insufficient formal employment opportunities and training and to create extra income for the household. Yet, they lack access to the international market. According to a Nigerian International Trade Centre (ITC) survey, less than 5% of 394 Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) participate in export activities. But 40% of the enterprises indicated interest to engage in export activities.

Trade as “engine of economic growth”  

More women in trade could help advance sustainable development, as called for in no less than three UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 5 on Gender Equality, SDG 8 on Decent Work and SDG 10 on Reduced Inequalities). It has to do with the fact that more women focus on investments. They invest in their households’ education, health, and nutrition more than men, creating secure foundations for their families and communities. In addition, women’s involvement in trade creates jobs, equitable income distribution, gender equality and inclusive growth, as women-led businesses tend to employ more women. For instance, in Nigeria, women in SMEs contribute to 50% of the nation’s GDP with a higher percentage of employment creation. These, put together, are absolute means of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Despite women’s vital contribution to growth and development, their potential is yet to be fully exploited in Nigeria. According to a recent survey by the World Bank (WB), Nigeria has one of the highest women entrepreneurship rates globally. Yet, it is often classified as “low-level” entrepreneurship, as they are primarily involved in informal trade, with minimum revenue. Likewise, their involvement in trade unionism is on the decline in Nigeria. Their low participation in unionism means that their voices go unheard in trade.

The hurdles and how to overcome them

The current regulatory environment, social bias and economic structures are significant blockages to the advancement of women in trade participation and performance in Nigeria. Gender discrimination and lack of resources limit women from growing and establishing a business. They face loan access bureaucracy and a lack of credit facilities. Also, inadequate training on export services, lack of access to the export market and relevant administrative support prevents them from competing in the international market. It does not help that women have less access to education, finance, and information. It often leads to low self-confidence to explore trade prospects and entrepreneurial education.

In the face of these challenges, how can women excel in trade both locally and internationally?

  • Increase Women’s Literacy

For women to excel in trade, harnessing existing strengths is a requisite. It begins with getting quality primary education and goes to business literacy. In Nigeria, there are great entrepreneurial opportunities that women can seize for trade participation, such as from the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF). There is also the Ebi Fund, the Women’s Investment Fund, She Works Here, the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), “SheTrades Initiative”, etc. These are frameworks designed to support SMEs, providing them with the needed training to leap into trade. However, women can only lay hands on this pool of opportunities if they are well educated.

  • Increase Women’s Participation in Trade Unionism

More significant female presence and involvement in trade unions will exert more force against biased regulatory frameworks. It is advisable for policy actors and gender equality advocates to encourage women to join prominent trade unions, such as Nigeria’s Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA). This association is known to support and promote women’s interest in international trade.

  • Increase Gender Equity in Trade

Trade policy actors and other relevant stakeholders should create a favourable environment for women to excel as entrepreneurs. The government should lower existing trade barriers against women at local and international fronts by enacting family-friendly policies. It should be a priority for the government to create opportunities to support the growth of existing women-owned businesses.

The importance of women’s trade participation and the link to economic growth and sustainable development cannot be overlooked. Their involvement in trade leads to financial empowerment for women, job creation, and social development. It should be paramount for the Nigerian government to encourage the engagement of female entrepreneurs in high-level trade activity such as international trade. To achieve this, both the supply-side (government) and demand-side (women) need to change such a narrative. The government needs to create a conducive business space for women to engage and benefit from government efforts. With the African Continental Free Trade Agreement in play, more women in trade will help alleviate poverty and increase aggregated economic growth for Nigeria, and Africa, at large.

Text editor: Gabriela Keseberg Dávalos

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