The Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council Mrs. Nonye Ayeni, has called on Nigerian Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to harness the power of digital marketplaces to expand their reach and grow the country’s share in global non-oil exports.
She made this call on Wednesday during a workshop themed “Leveraging Online/Digital Marketplaces to Increase Nigeria’s Share in the Global Market” held at the NEPC Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja.
Addressing stakeholders, including government officials, business leaders, and development partners, Ayeni emphasized that digital trade is no longer optional but essential for businesses aiming for international relevance.
“Digital trade is the future. It is transformative and truly a game changer for any business that embraces the opportunities and potentials inherent in it,” she stated.
Ayeni said the workshop was part of NEPC’s strategic agenda to position Nigerian SMEs to thrive in a competitive global economy using online tools.
“We recognize the pivotal role that digital tools and platforms play in trade, particularly in non-oil export. This workshop is one of many strategic and practical approaches that align with our vision of making the world a marketplace for Nigeria’s non-oil export products,” she said.
According to her, global trade dynamics have shifted, with technology levelling the playing field for even the smallest businesses.
She said, “Markets are no longer defined by geography, but by connectivity. With just a smartphone or laptop, a business owner in Aba, Kano, or Makurdi can reach a customer in Ghana, Malaysia, or China.”
She outlined the main advantages of e-commerce for SMEs, such as increased market accessibility, reduced overhead expenses, real-time consumer data, and effective scalability.
In order to stay competitive, she suggested that entrepreneurs start by creating a digital presence, interacting with clients on social media, implementing safe payment methods, collaborating with logistics companies, and taking part in online training courses.
Ayeni also announced NEPC’s participation in the Women Exporters in the Digital Economy (WEIDE) initiative a project of the WTO/ITC aimed at empowering women-led businesses to thrive in global digital markets.
NEPC, she revealed, was the only Business Support Organisation selected in Africa for the initiative.
“Through WEIDE, NEPC is working directly with women-led SMEs to improve their digital capabilities, enhance product visibility on global platforms, and build competitiveness,” she said, affirming the council’s commitment to an inclusive digital trade agenda.
She gave participants the assurance that NEPC will keep assisting SMEs by assessing the quality of products and assisting companies in fulfilling the requirements for onboarding onto global platforms.
Ayeni also commended the partners for helping to make the workshop a success, including Jumia Nigeria, DHL, UPS, and NIPOST.
“Together we are stronger,” she said, noting that such partnerships are critical for sustainable export growth.
