The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has allocated 50 free exhibition booths to women entrepreneurs as part of efforts to promote gender inclusion and support women-led businesses.
The President of the chamber, Emeka Obegolu, disclosed this on Friday in Abuja during a news conference ahead of activities marking International Women’s Day (IWD) 2026.
He explained that the initiative forms part of the chamber’s activities to commemorate the global event celebrated annually on March 8 to recognise the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.
Obegolu described this year’s theme, “Give to Gain,” as timely, stressing the importance of investing in women through improved access to finance, mentorship, market opportunities and supportive policies.
“The initiative underscores the chamber’s unwavering commitment to advancing women’s economic empowerment and fostering inclusive growth in Nigeria. Empowering women entrepreneurs strengthens businesses, stabilises families and drives national prosperity,” he said.
He also acknowledged the significant contributions of women to Nigeria’s economic landscape but noted that many still face barriers such as limited access to affordable financing, regulatory challenges and socio-cultural constraints that restrict their full participation in economic decision-making.
According to him, the chamber has lined up several activities to mark the celebration, including a two-day Women Entrepreneurs Workshop and a Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) exhibition.
“These activities will feature panel discussions focused on sustainable financing and protection from predatory lending, as well as a social media marketing masterclass designed to equip participants with practical digital skills,” he said.
Obegolu added that the business exhibition would provide women entrepreneurs with a platform to showcase their products and services, connect with potential customers and expand their professional networks.
Also speaking, ACCI Vice President for Women and Gender Matters, Lawunmi Ismail, said the programme was deliberately designed to strengthen women’s participation in business and economic development.
She emphasised that empowering women entrepreneurs goes beyond inclusion and has direct benefits for economic growth.
“When women succeed in business, families prosper, communities grow stronger and the broader economy benefits,” she said.
Ismail reaffirmed the chamber’s commitment to creating sustainable platforms that provide women with the knowledge, tools and visibility needed to thrive in today’s competitive business environment.
The Director-General of ACCI, Agabaidu Jideani, also stressed that sustainable economic growth can only be achieved when women are adequately supported and positioned at the forefront of enterprise development.
According to him, the provision of free exhibition booths demonstrates the chamber’s strategic commitment to supporting women-led businesses.
He called on stakeholders across both the public and private sectors to collaborate in removing barriers that hinder women’s advancement in business.
Jideani added that the 2026 International Women’s Day activities reflect ACCI’s broader goal of promoting entrepreneurship, strengthening women-led enterprises and creating inclusive opportunities within Nigeria’s commerce and industry ecosystem.