{
  "id": 2092706,
  "title": "Beyond the market stall: Women entrepreneurs in the face of challenging environment",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/beyond-the-market-stall-women-entrepreneurs-in-the-face-of",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-08-20T05:46:07.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Trust",
    "slug": "daily-trust",
    "url": "https://dailytrust.com/beyond-the-market-stall-women-entrepreneurs-in-the-face-of-challenging-environment/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Nigeria is home to a staggering 23 million female entrepreneurs, making up one of the largest groups of women-owned businesses in the world. These women run everything from small stalls to tech startups, fashion designs, and catering services across the nation, from the bustling streets of Abuja to the vibrant markets of Yaba.\n\nDespite their economic impact, over 80% of these ventures struggle without access to formal credit. This disparity highlights the paradox and promise of women's entrepreneurship in Nigeria. Women entrepreneurs aren't just about individual success; they sustain families, communities, and the nation's economy as a whole. MSMEs make up 96.7% of businesses in Nigeria, contributing 48-49% of the GDP and employing 84% of the workforce. With women owning 40% of these enterprises, millions of jobs are directly created by women.\n\nWomen are the backbone of local value chains, especially in agriculture. They contribute to 40% of agricultural labor, processing and packaging agricultural products, transforming raw materials into finished goods that feed the nation. Nigerian women are innovating in various sectors, from organic skincare using shea butter to tech solutions connecting farmers to markets, and catering businesses. Women-owned businesses contribute to about 37% of Nigeria's GDP, but this contribution is more than just numbers. Profit-paying means school fees, supporting suppliers, funding weddings, and reinvesting in neighborhoods.\n\nHowever, the journey for a woman entrepreneur in Nigeria is challenging. Access to finance remains the biggest barrier, with over 80% of women-owned businesses lacking access to formal credit. Only 23% have access to formal bank accounts, compared to male entrepreneurs. The high cost of doing business, including inflation and poor infrastructure, further strains margins. Issues like unreliable electricity, poor road conditions, and lack of affordable storage also impact women-owned businesses. Many women also face societal expectations, such as being full-time homemakers while running businesses, and legal barriers like land ownership, which could serve as collateral for loans. Despite these challenges, Nigerian women are turning local problems into global-standard products, such as organic skincare and tech solutions.\n\nEmpowering women entrepreneurs is crucial for economic growth, job creation, poverty reduction, and national development. Strategies include improving access to tailored financial products with low interest rates, flexible collateral requirements, and longer repayment periods. There's a need for practical business training, mentorship programs, and policy changes supporting women-owned businesses through tax incentives, inclusion in public procurement, and investment in infrastructure. Corporate and government investment in women entrepreneurs is also vital, including buying from women-owned businesses, providing market access, and supporting technology adoption. The rise of women entrepreneurs in Nigeria is a revolution, and it's time to fully unlock their potential.",
  "summary": "Nigeria is home to over 23 million female entrepreneurs, one of the highest numbers in the world. Women now own about 41 per cent of micro-businesses and nearly 40 per cent of all Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the country. Yet, over 80 per cent of these businesses still operate without access to formal […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}