The Nigerian Export Promotion Council has called on northern women entrepreneurs to formalise their businesses and meet export requirements to take advantage of opportunities in international markets.

Yusuf Ahmed, NEPC representative, gave the advice at a four-in-one event, a women-focused initiative, in collaboration with stakeholders in Kaduna on Sunday.

Mr Ahmed said entrepreneurs needed to understand the requirements for participating in international trade, particularly under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). He urged business owners to formalise their enterprises and register with relevant agencies to access training, counselling and other support services.

Mr Ahmed said enterprise registration alone was not enough for businesses seeking to participate in export activities. He stressed the importance of registering with NEPC and SMEDAN to access relevant support and prepare products for international markets.

He added that entrepreneurs also needed to improve their products, understand market requirements and comply with relevant standards before venturing into international trade.

Designed to Become’s founder, Sa’adatu Hamma, urged northern women entrepreneurs to acquire relevant skills and adapt to changing business trends. Ms Hamma said the programme aimed to equip women entrepreneurs with the knowledge and skills to grow their businesses and access wider markets.

She urged entrepreneurs to make better use of digital platforms, including WhatsApp channels, status updates and broadcast lists, to promote their businesses.

Ms Hamma said the Women Entrepreneurs Development Forum was promoting initiatives to improve northern women’s access to training, funding and microfinance.

The president of Jama’iyyar Matan Arewa (JMA), Rabi Saulawa, said she facilitated NEPC’s participation to expose entrepreneurs to opportunities and requirements for accessing wider markets. Ms Saulawa said many entrepreneurs needed support in product development, marketing and meeting required standards.

She encouraged northern women to engage in productive businesses to reduce dependency and improve their economic wellbeing.

Ms Saulawa said women could turn their skills into businesses, citing catering, oil production, bead-making, fashion designing and make-up artistry among areas with opportunities. She also encouraged employed women to use their spare time to develop additional sources of income.

(NAN)