The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has allotted 50 free exhibition booths to women entrepreneurs as part of efforts to promote gender inclusion and strengthen women-led businesses in Nigeria.
The President of the chamber, Emeka Obegolu, disclosed this on Friday in Abuja during a news conference ahead of activities to mark the International Women’s Day (IWD) 2026.
International Women’s Day, celebrated annually on March 8, recognises the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women worldwide.
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Obegolu said the free exhibition booths formed part of the chamber’s initiatives to commemorate the event, noting that the theme of this year’s celebration is “Give To Gain.”
According to him, the theme highlights the importance of investing in women through improved access to finance, mentorship, market opportunities and supportive policies.
“The initiative underscores the chamber’s unwavering commitment to advancing women’s economic empowerment and fostering inclusive growth in Nigeria.
“Empowering women entrepreneurs strengthens businesses, stabilises families and drives national prosperity,” he said.
Obegolu acknowledged the significant role women play in the country’s economic landscape but noted that many still face challenges such as limited access to affordable financing, regulatory bottlenecks and socio-cultural barriers that hinder their full participation in economic decision-making.
He said activities lined up for the celebration include a two-day Women Entrepreneurs Workshop and a Small and Medium Enterprises exhibition.
According to him, the programmes will feature panel discussions on sustainable financing and protection from predatory lending, as well as a social media marketing master-class aimed at equipping participants with practical digital skills.
“The business exhibition will provide women entrepreneurs with a strategic platform to showcase their products and services, connect with potential customers and expand their professional networks,” he explained.
The ACCI Vice President for Women and Gender Matters, Lawunmi Ismail, said the programme was intentionally designed to strengthen women’s participation in business and economic development.
Ismail stressed that empowering women entrepreneurs goes beyond inclusion and directly contributes to economic growth.
“When women succeed in business, families prosper, communities grow stronger and the broader economy benefits,” she said.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the chamber, Agabaidu Jideani, said sustainable economic growth could only be achieved when women were supported and positioned at the forefront of enterprise development.
Jideani described the free exhibition booths as a practical demonstration of the chamber’s commitment to promoting women-led businesses.
He called on stakeholders across the public and private sectors to collaborate in removing barriers that limit women’s advancement.
“The IWD 2026 activities reflect ACCI’s broader agenda of promoting entrepreneurship, strengthening women-led enterprises and creating inclusive opportunities within Nigeria’s commerce and industry ecosystem,” he said.
