Group Partners World Bank on Women Empowerment

A leading non-profit startup dedicated to mobilising sustainable development across Africa, DO Take Action, in partnership with the World Bank, officially launched the Scaling Women’s Economic Empowerment Through Affirmative Procurement Reforms (SWEEP) training programme in Abuja.

A statement issued by the group, said the initiative followed a comprehensive needs assessment that revealed the significant challenges faced by women-owned and women-led businesses (WOLBs) in Nigeria, particularly in accessing public procurement opportunities.

It stated that “despite women owning 40 per cent of businesses in Nigeria, they remain underrepresented in public procurement.

“According to the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics, public procurement represents a considerable portion of the country’s GDP—between 10-25 per cent—and accounts for up to 50 per cent of government expenditure in sub-Saharan Africa.

“However, women-led businesses continue to receive a disproportionately small share of these contracts, highlighting a significant barrier to women’s economic equality in Nigeria.”

The statement signed by the Co-founder, DO Take Action, Precious Ebere, said the SWEEP program aims to address this gap by implementing affirmative procurement policies that foster gender equality and empower women entrepreneurs in Nigeria.

“The programme’s focus is on building the capacity of WOLBs in Abuja to access procurement processes while increasing awareness among the private sector about the importance of gender-responsive procurement practices. “Additionally, it seeks to enhance public institutions’ capacity to implement these policies effectively,” it said.

It affirmed that the SWEEP initiative will deliver targeted training on business skills, financial management, and procurement procedures, equipping women entrepreneurs with the knowledge and tools needed to participate in larger-scale economic activities.

“An essential aspect of the programme is supporting the formalisation and registration of women-led businesses, enabling their full engagement in public procurement.

The statement said key objectives of the programm include, “Strengthening the capacity of women-led businesses to access procurement opportunities.

“Raising awareness among private sector leadership about gender-responsive procurement policies and practices.

“Enhancing the capacity of public institutions to implement affirmative procurement policies through evidence-based dialogues and on-the-job training.”

Ebere said expected outcomes through SWEEP, women-led businesses will have increased opportunities to access procurement contracts, enhancing their visibility and fostering broader positive impacts on economic empowerment, child health, education, poverty alleviation, and the reduction of gender-based violence.

“The initiative also aims to advocate for the adoption of these best practices across Nigeria and within the World Bank, contributing to a more equitable and inclusive economic environment for women entrepreneurs.

“The programme is set to directly benefit over 600 women-led businesses across three cohorts. The pilot training phase begins on November 1, 2024, and registration is currently open.

“Women entrepreneurs in Abuja are encouraged to register now and join the first cohort.”

Speaking further on the initiative,  Ebere said “the SWEEP program is designed to increase the participation of women’s small and medium-sized enterprises (WSMEs) in public procurement. Our Theory of Change emphasises that by enhancing the capacity of WOLBs through targeted training, advocating for gender-responsive procurement policies, and improving access to financial and digital resources, women entrepreneurs will be better equipped to compete in both public and private procurement markets. 

“This will lead to increased contract awards and business growth, empowering women-led businesses and advancing gender equality in the business sector. SWEEP aligns with the World Bank’s economic development plan and will contribute to a more dynamic and inclusive economic environment in Abuja.”