The International Trade Centre (ITC) is working with the Nigerian Exports Promotion Council (NEPC) to empower more women entrepreneurs in the global export market
IWEC Foundation is a partner with the ITC
The International Trade Centre (ITC) is working with the Nigerian Exports Promotion Council (NEPC) to empower more women entrepreneurs in the global export market, DANIEL ESSIET reports.
Textiles and other products from Nigeria and other African countries are finding their way into the global export market.
One of those recording success in the global space is a Ghanaian-Nigerian fashion designer, Titi Ademola, who founded Kiki Clothing, a Ghana children’s and women’s clothes and footwear brand.
Ademola’s ideas come mainly from her Ghanaian/Nigerian heritage. Exhibiting collections in Accra, Lagos, Mauritius, Johannesburg, as well as London and Rome has brought brand recognition and inspiring opportunities to the Kiki label.
Besides, there are stories of Nigerians and groups bringing the nation glory with the assistance of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) and the International Trade Centre (ITC), an agency of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the United Nations (UN). It assists small and medium scale enterprises in developing and transition economies to become more competitive in the global export market, thereby contributing to sustainable development within the Aid-for-Trade agenda and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
One of the groups is the Ifedawapo Sheabutter Cooperative, based in Saki, Oyo State sold about 200 metric tonnes of its product to major cosmetics companies in Nigeria and the United States. The company secured orders for a further 500 metric tonnes, after implementing a quality improvement programme through the NEPC with ITC’s assistance.
The Ifedawapo Sheabutter Cooperative’s sales were enabled by its relationship with Shea Origin Nigeria Limited, as part of its agreement under the project. The material is extracted from the nuts of the African shea tree, to make skin moisturizers and hair-care products. It is also used in confectionery, mainly as a substitute for cocoa butter in chocolates.