By Atlantic Reports

Two Nigerian women entrepreneurs supported by the Women Exporters in the Digital Economy (WEIDE) Fund say the grants have helped them expand their businesses and reach international customers.

Speaking in separate interviews in Abuja on Sunday, the beneficiaries described investments in export documentation, certification, packaging and digital operations.

Their accounts point to gains at individual businesses, although the reported growth figures were not accompanied by financial records or an independent assessment.

Export Readiness and Better Packaging

Rashidat Umar, founder of Oyinespecial, said she received $5,000 and used the funding to address export documentation, international certification, standardisation, branding and equipment needs.

“Since receiving the fund, we have recorded increase in productivity and expansion, with new packaging and additional certification for the international market,” she said.

Umar reported a 30 per cent improvement in business performance and increased staff capacity. She did not specify the performance measure or the period used for comparison.

She said the support also opened opportunities for industry networking, collaborations and participation in international trade missions.

However, Umar called for logistics and shipping partnerships to make moving products overseas easier and reduce the cost of reaching foreign buyers.

Digital Sales and Orders from Canada

Eke Obianuju, founder of Annystar Beauty World Ltd., said she also received $5,000, which helped her digitalise operations and launch a website.

She said the business had previously operated as a sole proprietorship but had since become a limited liability company.

“We have structured our business digitally and inaugurated our website. Before the WEIDE Fund, we were doing business in the analogue way,” she said.

Obianuju reported an 80 per cent increase in company income and said rising customer demand had enabled the business to recruit additional workers.

The account did not specify whether “income” referred to revenue or profit, the comparison period, or the number of jobs created.

She also said the company had received and fulfilled two orders from customers in Canada.

“We are excited about this feat and look forward to more international orders,” she said.

Obianuju described the website as a major outcome of the grant and appealed for further investment suited to small and medium-sized enterprises.

Support Beyond the Grant

The WEIDE Fund supports women entrepreneurs through funding, digital tools and access to international markets. The Nigerian Export Promotion Council disbursed grants to selected Nigerian beneficiaries to strengthen their participation in global trade.

The two entrepreneurs’ experiences highlight both the uses of the funding and the support they still seek. While certification, packaging and online visibility can help businesses prepare for overseas sales, the beneficiaries identified affordable shipping and further investment as priorities for sustaining expansion.

Atlantic Reports: Voices. People. Facts.