The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) is intensifying efforts to expand Nigeria’s non-oil export base by supporting women entrepreneurs, youths, farmers and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to access international markets.
For decades, Nigeria’s economy has relied heavily on crude oil, exposing the country to fluctuations in global commodity prices and persistent pressure on foreign exchange earnings. However, the NEPC is seeking to strengthen alternative sources of foreign exchange by positioning agriculture, manufacturing, digital commerce, skills and entrepreneurship at the centre of the country’s export strategy.
Established in 1976 as the Federal Government’s apex institution for promoting non-oil exports, the Council is combining access to finance, capacity building, certification, market linkages, skills development and international trade opportunities to help Nigerian businesses compete beyond the domestic market.
The strategy is aimed at moving more Nigerian-made products from local markets to global shelves while creating jobs, generating foreign exchange and supporting economic diversification.
A major component of the Council’s strategy is its participation in the Women Exporters in the Digital Economy (WEIDE) Fund, a $50 million initiative launched in 2024 by World Trade Organization Director-General, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
The initiative seeks to help women-led businesses in developing countries participate more effectively in international trade by improving their access to digital tools, finance, skills and global markets.
Nigeria has secured a significant position in the programme, with the NEPC selected as the only African Business Support Organisation to implement the WEIDE Fund after emerging from 610 applications globally.
The Council subsequently received more than 68,000 applications from women-led businesses across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones and multiple sectors.
Following the selection process, 146 women-led MSMEs were chosen to receive grant support under the first phase.
The scale of applications highlights the large pool of Nigerian women entrepreneurs seeking opportunities to expand their businesses and access international markets. It also points to the financing, knowledge, standards and market-access barriers that continue to limit the ability of many MSMEs to scale.
The WEIDE Fund provides support through two grant categories. The Discovery Grant offers $5,000 to micro and small women-led businesses with export potential, while the Booster Grant provides $30,000 to exporting or export-ready women-led businesses.
The programme also goes beyond financial support.
Beneficiaries receive digital and financial training, coaching, business clinics and other capacity-building opportunities designed to prepare them for international trade.
The support covers areas including e-commerce stores, pricing, logistics and customer service, while beneficiaries are also connected with global e-commerce platforms and digital service providers.
The Council is also targeting young Nigerians as part of its efforts to build a new generation of exporters.
Through the Export Skills Acquisition Centre (ESAC) in Apapa, Lagos, the NEPC is targeting more than 1,000 young people and women annually for training in garment and bag production.
The centre has been restructured and re-equipped to support mass production for African and international markets while supplying Nigerian distributors and retailers.
Under a public-private partnership arrangement, Lelook Nigeria Limited manages the facility, with a target of training at least 1,000 youths and women every year.
The initiative links skills acquisition with production and market opportunities, creating a pathway for beneficiaries to move from vocational training into commercial production and eventually international trade.
The Council is also working with federal, state and local governments and other stakeholders to replicate similar centres across the country.
Such interventions could help address youth unemployment and underemployment by creating opportunities beyond conventional public-sector employment.
The export sector can generate jobs across multiple stages of the value chain, including farming, processing, packaging, transportation, certification, marketing and international distribution.
Beyond finance and skills, the NEPC is also addressing the knowledge gap facing prospective exporters through its Export Mentorship Programme.
Many businesses seeking to enter international markets face difficulties understanding export documentation, international standards, financing, market requirements and the practical process of dealing with foreign buyers.
The mentorship programme pairs prospective exporters with experienced exporters to provide practical guidance and support.
The pilot phase started with five performing exporters serving as mentors and 20 prospective exporters as mentees. Fifteen mentees successfully completed the programme and were set for graduation.
The Council has also begun discussions with commercial banks on financing opportunities for mentees under the guidance of their mentors.
Through the initiative, the NEPC aims to increase the number of performing Nigerian exporters while reducing the risks associated with entering international markets.
However, increasing production alone does not guarantee access to global markets. Nigerian products must also meet the quality, safety and certification requirements of destination countries.
Addressing this challenge, NEPC Executive Director/Chief Executive, Nonye Ayeni, said the Council introduced the Go Global Go Certification initiative to help MSME exporters, food processors, agro-product exporters and manufacturers meet international market requirements.
According to Ayeni, certification can determine whether a Nigerian product is accepted or rejected in foreign markets.
Under the initiative, more than 305 exporters have undergone international certification processes covering requirements such as those of the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) and Halal certification.
Another 567 exporters are currently undergoing certification.
Ayeni said the focus on certification was particularly important for agricultural and processed food exporters because failure to meet safety and quality standards could lead to rejected shipments, financial losses and reputational damage.
For Nigerian MSMEs, the growing focus on certification, digital commerce, finance, skills and market access could help remove some of the barriers that have historically prevented small businesses from becoming exporters.
As the NEPC expands these interventions, the broader challenge will be ensuring that businesses receiving support can sustain their operations, meet international standards and build lasting relationships with buyers beyond Nigeria.
For an economy seeking to reduce its dependence on crude oil, the success of these efforts could determine how effectively Nigerian entrepreneurs convert the country’s vast agricultural, manufacturing and creative potential into sustainable export earnings.