By Norbert Fidelis
ASABA/Nigeria: For many women running small and informal businesses in Nigeria, access to finance, business knowledge, markets and reliable information can be as important as the capital with which they started.
It is against this background that the Nigerian Association of Women Entrepreneurs (NAWE) has positioned itself as a platform for entrepreneurship development, capacity building and networking among women in business.
The association was founded and inaugurated on April 29, 1993, by the late Maryam Babangida, wife of former President Ibrahim Babangida, with entrepreneurship development and capacity building for women among its stated objectives.
Over the years, NAWE has focused on areas including financial literacy, business management, export development, digital trading and formalisation of businesses through registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
The association is affiliated with the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) and also engages government and relevant institutions on issues affecting women entrepreneurs.
Its advocacy activities include seeking policy measures that can improve the business environment for women, including access to markets, financing opportunities and possible tax relief.
NAWE also facilitates networking among its members and links entrepreneurs with opportunities provided by institutions such as the Bank of Industry (BOI), NIRSAL and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN).
The association’s activities include training programmes, trade fairs, monthly meetings and mentorship, through which more experienced entrepreneurs share knowledge with younger business owners.
According to information provided by the association, the mentorship programme is intended to help entrepreneurs improve their businesses, identify potential fraud and trafficking risks, establish links with suppliers and buyers and identify legitimate financing opportunities.
NAWE has chapters across the 36 states, with its headquarters in Abuja. Barrister Vera Ndanusa is the National Leader.
NAWE’s Delta Experience
In Delta State, the association is being led by Mrs Philomena Badaiki, the State Coordinator, who has focused on expanding the membership base and connecting women entrepreneurs with training and funding opportunities.
Under her leadership, the Delta chapter has grown from about 18 members to more than 100 active members, according to information from the chapter.
Badaiki has also facilitated workshops and training programmes and linked members with opportunities associated with government-backed institutions, including SMEDAN, NIRSAL and BOI.
The chapter has equally pursued partnerships with other women’s organisations, using networking and mentorship to create opportunities for members to exchange ideas and develop business relationships.
Speaking at the recently concluded Delta State Economic and Investment Summit, Badaiki called for stronger collaboration between government and operators in the informal sector.
She argued that government policies should take greater account of the realities facing small businesses and entrepreneurs operating outside the formal corporate economy.
Badaiki said the informal sector plays an important role in economic activity and should receive greater support through policies that make it easier for businesses to survive and grow.
The Delta chapter is also planning an entrepreneurship programme in Asaba in September, where representatives of different associations are expected to meet and discuss issues affecting entrepreneurship and business development.
For women entrepreneurs seeking to participate in NAWE’s activities, membership is organised through the association’s state chapters.
The association’s stated benefits include access to business information, training and workshops, networking opportunities, mentorship and information on available government and institutional financing programmes.
For many small business owners, the value of such platforms lies not only in access to funding but also in the connections, knowledge and market information that can help them make better decisions and build more sustainable enterprises.
