Lagos Government To Empower 200 Women Entrepreneurs Digitally

The Lagos State Government has announced plans to empower over 200 women entrepreneurs with training on digital and financial growth strategies, as part of its commitment to economic inclusion and development.

The Senior Special Assistant to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade, and Investment, Mrs. Hauwa Adeeyo, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, stating that the empowerment program is scheduled to take place on Thursday.

According to Adeeyo, the initiative is part of the state’s activities marking the 2025 International Women’s Day (IWD), which is celebrated globally on March 8 to promote gender equality and women’s economic empowerment.

Adeeyo said that the event, with the theme, “Empowering Women, Elevating Businesses: Digital and Financial Strategies for Growth,” will be held at the Women Development Centre (WDC), Agege, Lagos.

She said that it would feature distinguished industry experts, business strategists, financial experts, e-commerce specialists and cooperative development leaders.

Adeeyo said that experts would equip participants with practical strategies for navigating the evolving business landscape.

She reiterated Sanwo-Olu’s administration’s commitment to strengthening female-led MSMEs and ensuring financial inclusion for women entrepreneurs.

“This initiative aims to provide young women business owners with access to digital tools, financial education and cooperative business.

“It will also provide opportunities and strategies for sustainable expansion, which aligns with the IWD 2025 global theme, ‘Inspire Inclusion.’

“Lagos is the commercial nerve centre of Africa, and women entrepreneurs are a major force in driving economic growth.

“Through this initiative, we are reaffirming Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s commitment to women-led enterprises.

“We are not only celebrating women in business but also ensuring they have the financial knowledge, digital tools, and cooperative support needed to scale their ventures.

“An empowered woman in business strengthens families, communities and the entire state.

“The event is expected to host over 200 women entrepreneurs across Lagos from diverse industries, alongside key stakeholders from Lagos State’s commerce, trade, and cooperative sectors,” she said.

According to her, participants will engage in hands-on workshops and panel discussions covering e-commerce and digital sales, while leveraging online platforms to scale businesses.

She added that the beneficiaries would also leverage financial literacy and smart money management to learn strategies for managing business finances, securing funding and building creditworthiness.

“We would also provide funding, mentorship, and bulk purchasing benefits that include scaling MSMEs and expanding market reach with actionable steps to transition from small to sustainable enterprises,” Adeeyo said.

According to her, representatives from the ministry, the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, financial institutions, fintech companies and private sector investors will be present to offer business insights, mentorship and funding opportunities.

She highlighted Sanwo-Olu’s agenda on women-focused MSME empowerment programmes, which include the Lagos State Women Entrepreneurship Fund (LASWEF), among others.