First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has introduced the SheVentures Export Readiness Programme, an initiative designed to assist women-owned businesses in Nigeria seeking to expand globally.
The program offers participants access to valuable knowledge, tailored advisory services, and interest-free loans to support their export trade logistics.
Mrs. Yemisi Edun, the Managing Director of FCMB, explained, “Our mission with the SheVentures Export Readiness Programme is to support women-owned businesses in exporting their products and services globally.
We provide interest-free loans, training, and mentoring to help overcome common challenges such as a lack of financial resources and knowledge gaps.
Our ultimate goal is to empower Nigerian SMEs to expand beyond their local markets by connecting them with global businesses and leveraging the vast opportunities of globalization.”
The SheVentures Export Readiness Program is open to all women-owned SMEs in Nigeria interested in reaching new markets and growing their businesses.
SheVentures empowers Nigerian women
The program will include a series of training modules covering topics like export market research, product development, and export documentation.
Participants will also have the opportunity to receive one-on-one mentoring from experienced exporters.
Ms. Yetunde Moito, Head of Women in Business (SheVentures) at FCMB, stated, “Nigerian businesswomen face many challenges in their quest to grow successful businesses.
That’s why FCMB is providing additional support to businesswomen who own or run businesses in Nigeria, offering the support they need to thrive.
The SheVentures Export Readiness Programme is a game-changer for Nigerian women entrepreneurs, empowering them to scale globally and bridge the capacity and financial gap hindering their full potential.”
A recent report from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) revealed that more than 41 million SMEs operate in Nigeria, with women owning 40% of them.
Women-owned businesses are expected to create 8.9 million jobs in the next five years, significantly contributing to the country’s economy.
FCMB SheVentures has been impacting the female economy through various initiatives for women SMEs over the past four years.
The bank has provided up to One Billion Naira in zero-interest loans to hundreds of women SMEs across Nigeria and supported thousands of female entrepreneurs through free training, mentorship, and capacity-building programs.
The SheVentures Export Readiness Programme aligns with the government’s efforts to boost non-oil exports and foreign exchange earnings, empowering women entrepreneurs to contribute actively to achieving this national goal.
FCMB, a member of the FCMB Group Plc, is dedicated to fostering inclusive and sustainable growth within its communities and aims to build a supportive ecosystem rooted in Africa, connecting people, capital, and markets.
By offering innovative financial solutions like Energy Finance loans, FCMB is helping improve the economic well-being of businesses and Nigerians.