Nigerian women Entrepreneurs excite stakeholders with products at Kenya’s trade mission

The Federation of Women Business Entrepreneurs (FEBWE) Nigeria Chapter on Thursday stormed MovenPick Hotel and Residence in Nairobi, Kenya Capital   to exhibit their products in the ongoing trade mission and business development tours in the country.

Penpushing reports that the federation led by its President, Iyalode Alaba Lawson recorded positive wave at the event, as findings showed that number of their displayed products became hot cake for number of guests and other personalities at the event.

The theme of the conference is ‘Unlocking the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Opportunity and Youths: Leveraging Regional Value Chain Opportunities and Business Linkages to Improve Intra-Africa Trade’

Penpushing further reports that the Nigerian organisations on ground with their products include: Lawson Group of Schools (Services), Anthrop Management Limited (Training, Recruitment and Business Development), Kitfem School of Fashion Technology) and Natureffects Limited (African Palmwine)

The other participants at the well-attended conference include: Penpushing Media Services, TK Adire Turban and Fascinator, Hayhud Nigeria Limited (Locust Beans), Simply Natural Nigeria Limited,Owa Foods and AgroAllied Products Limited, Great Imperial(Training of Vocational Skills), Bayado Divine Ventures(Cosmetic and Toiletries Production) and 3pple I Caroline Integrated

Penpushing also reports that others are: Sofi Foods, Commonwealth Business Women Network, Strategic Women and Youth Institute Nigeria, Helen Genius Agro Products Limited, Zucchini Fashion Centre, Funky J.J Cornerstone Foods Limited , Thelma Farms Limited(Export of Fresh Vegetables) and Demi’s Frozen and Band B Fish

The Iyalode of Yorubaland who is the President of Federation of Women Business Entrepreneurs (FEBWE) Nigeria Chapter in her speech explained that the West Meets East Africa is designed to instigate the mainstreaming of Women Entrepreneurs into international trade.

Penpushing reports that she said this is by providing suitable avenues for their match-making, market access and towards business linkages that will foster intra Africa trade and promote exports, adding that the programme organized by Compass Global in partnership with Economic Community for West Africa States (ECOWAS)  and Federation of Women Business Entrepreneurs (FEBWE) and host of other strategic partners

‘A key outcome of the process is to facilitate networking, collaboration and partnerships between the West Africa. Women entrepreneurs, and their regional and international counterparts to promote intra Africa trade, and partnerships between the regions against the backdrop of AfCFTA”, Lawson added

Penpushing further reports that she pointed out that the West Meets East Trade Mission was also uniquely positioned to engage participants with counterparts across sub-region for vital learning, exchange of ideas, and critical market intelligence to prepare them for leverage Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and to fast track their market access into East Africa and other regions

The Nigerian team leader thanked the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission for the support towards mobilizing strong delegation to attend the event, affirming that the launch of the multi-agency engagement as successful

Penpushing also reports that notable dignitaries and participants include:Nde Isatou Jallow(President Gambia ECOWAS Federation of Women Business Entrepreneurs (FEBWE), Hajia Marie Bob Kandeh(Vice President  Sierra Leone Federation of Women Business Entrepreneurs (FEBWE),Otunba  Gbemisola Oduntan(Deputy National Coordinator 1) who led the Association of Nigerian Women Business Network, Tola Omole(Deputy National Coordinator 2), Ambassador Akadira Aminou(Executive Director Federation of West Africa Chambers of Commerce and Industry) and Mrs Tokunbo Chiedu(Chief Executive Officer Compass Global)

The Consul General Sierera Leonne High Commission in Nigeria, Beatrice Kallay in her brief remarks appreciated the participants from the participating countries, adding that the Economic Community for West Africa States made clear that women are relevant in nation’s growth.

Penpushing reports that she said it is expected that women are supposed to trade freely acros the regions, but noted that there are barriers hindering the opportunities, which need to the tackled and get lasting solution.

The High Commissioner encouraged participants to ensure that connections individually made at the conference are well utilized and done with good heart for their benefits, African nations and the world at large

‘Trade between East and West Africa should be a reality. I want to call women to work hard, we can do it perfectly .Together everybody has more. Let us see that connection we are making are done with good heart

Penpushing further reports that Hajia Kandeh, Vice President Federation of Women Business Entrepreneurs (FEBWE) Sierra Leonein her comments emphasized that without women nothing can be done right, hence, need to always recognize roles of the womenfold.

‘As for us in Sierra Leone we are doing our best. Without women nothing can go right. We are partner in progress. We engaged in peaceful resolution of the crisis. Let us encourage younger ones’, Kandeh stated

Penpushing also reports that Kandeh cautioned women in business in ensuring that they work and transact their businesses in line with the law of the land, stressing that they should do away with illegality

The Gambia President of Federation of Women Business Entrepreneurs (FEBWE), Ndey Jallow said she was convinced that the conference gives opportunity to women entrepreneurs to explore market into the regional and International Trade and to show knowledge and experiences

‘From my experience, the context of our Gmabian business environment, women are pivotal actors in the economic sector, but however, they face high trade barriers. Women entrepreneurs lack of fund relevant for international marketing activities hinder the progress on businesses’, she added

‘They also lack access to production inputs such as assests in th form of modern productions equipment necessarily to meet international standards. Women play a very important role in our economy, so empowering women economically especially through their involvement in trade, create job opportunities for everyone’, Fallow stated

Penpushing further reports that the Federation of Women Business Entrepreneurs (FEBWE), boss emphasized that the conference was designed for participants to promote Intra-Africa Trade, adding that it is going to be the beginning of West and East Africa export opportunities

‘We brought our locally made products from our respective countries and hope this is going to be the beginning of West and East Africa export opportunities. I wish to that ECPWAS Commission for sponsoring ECOWAS FEBWE participants to attend this important event’, she stressed

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