The Commonwealth Business Women Africa(CBW), has initiated a partnership with the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development to boost women’s economic empowerment.

The Continental President of CBW, Ngozi Oyewole, disclosed this when she visited the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim in Abuja as part of strategic engagement with policy-makers and other stakeholders

She said the strategic visit was to strengthen institutional collaboration and advance a more coordinated national framework for women’s economic and leadership empowerment.

Oyewole commended the minister for making women’s economic empowerment a topmost priority, adding that the purpose of the engagement was multi-layered.

“First, to align our initiatives with the Ministry’s national priorities and the Nigeria First policy — ensuring that Nigerian women-owned enterprises are not just participating in the economy, but are positioned at the forefront of public procurement, industrial growth, and value-chain development.

“Second, to explore structured pathways for scaling women-led businesses from micro and SME levels into corporate supply chains, government contracting ecosystems, and export-ready enterprises,” she said.

Oyewole who is also the Vice Chair Governing Council of the Industrial Training Fund ITF said the meeting with Ibrahim discussed the importance of capacity building, certification readiness, financial access, digital inclusion, and governance structures that make women-owned businesses competitive and sustainable.

“Third, to advocate for stronger monitoring and accountability mechanisms that measure real impact — not just participation numbers. Representation without economic power is incomplete. Our women must be resourced, equipped, and integrated into national development planning in tangible ways.

“The meeting also emphasised the importance of mentorship pipelines, intergenerational leadership development, and boardroom readiness — because economic empowerment must translate into influence, decision-making power, and policy voice.

“This visit is not ceremonial; it is intentional. It was about bridging policy with enterprise. It was about connecting grassroots women to national systems. It was about ensuring that collaboration between civil society, business networks, and government produces measurable outcomes.

“Most importantly, it was about one clear conviction: when Nigerian women rise, Nigeria rises. We remain committed to working hand-in-hand with the Ministry to deliver structured, scalable, and sustainable impact for women across the nation,” she added.

In her remarks, Ibrahim said the ministry under her watch is committed to the economic empowerment of women stressing that she wants to produce women millionaires through institutional support and skills acquisition.

She welcomed the idea of strategic Partnerships that will transform the lives of women in Nigeria.

The engagement focused on strengthening cross-border collaboration, expanding market access for Nigerian women entrepreneurs and deepening partnerships that position women at the forefront of economic growth across Africa and the Commonwealth.

The visit also afforded them the opportunity to discuss plans for the forthcoming 70th Session on the Commission of the Status of Women, CSW70 in the United Nations, New York from 11th – 19th March 2026 where the Minister will host a Nigeria Day event on the 12th of March.

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