I was privileged to participate in an impactful session with women entrepreneurs at Engr—Jennifer Adighije’s Emerging Women Entrepreneurship Time Out this past Saturday. The event was a significant gathering of business leaders, policymakers, and advocates dedicated to fostering the growth of women-owned Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria.

The session provided an excellent platform for discussing strategies that align with SMEDAN’s ongoing targeted interventions aimed at supporting women entrepreneurs. Alongside distinguished individuals such as Mr. Tola Johnson, the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Job Creation and SMEs, and notable figures like NaijaBrandChick, we engaged in meaningful conversations focused on addressing key challenges facing women-owned SMEs. These challenges, which range from business registration to standardization and taxation, are crucial barriers that hinder the full potential of many women-led enterprises.

One of the primary topics of discussion was the challenge of business registration, a vital step in formalizing women-owned enterprises and enabling them to access various benefits such as funding and business development services. SMEDAN’s interventions aim to simplify and streamline this process, ensuring that more women entrepreneurs are equipped to compete on a level playing field in the formal economy. The importance of reducing the complexity of business registration cannot be overstated, as it is often the first hurdle for aspiring entrepreneurs.

We also delved into the issue of standardization. Many women-owned businesses face difficulties in meeting the necessary quality standards required for both local and international markets. SMEDAN’s role in providing support and resources to help these businesses adhere to standards is crucial in opening doors for market expansion and improving product credibility.

Another major area we focused on was taxation. Women entrepreneurs frequently encounter challenges navigating the taxation system, which can be complicated and burdensome. We discussed ways to advocate for policies that ease the tax burden on small businesses, ensuring that women entrepreneurs are not stifled by regulatory hurdles that could limit their growth.

I would like to extend my appreciation to Engr. Jennifer Adighije for organizing such a successful event. It was a privilege to be among the many SSAs and SAs to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu who attended. Their presence added weight to the discussion and reinforced the government’s commitment to empowering women entrepreneurs.