ECOWAS Champion Digital Revolution for Women Entrepreneurs in West Africa, Host Workshop in Nigeria.
By Raymond Enoch
In a bold step toward digital inclusivity and economic empowerment, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), in strategic partnership with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), has launched a transformative initiative to amplify the voices and ventures of women in digital trade across the region.
Held in the bustling innovation hub of Lagos, Nigeria, the eTrade for Women Joint Workshop convened on Friday, July 17, 2025, bringing together a powerful coalition of women tech entrepreneurs, policymakers, development partners, and digital trade experts. The event was supported by the World Bank-funded Western Africa Regional Digital Integration Program (WARDIP) — a catalyst initiative designed to accelerate digital connectivity and regional integration across West Africa.
At the heart of the workshop was a compelling mission: to unlock the full potential of women-led digital enterprises and integrate them more fully into the region’s expanding digital economy. The gathering served as both a think tank and a launchpad, equipping participants with tools, knowledge, and networks to scale their ventures and influence policy-making on digital trade.
Speaking at the event, ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Massandjé Touré-Litse, emphasized the critical importance of inclusive digital transformation. “We cannot talk about regional prosperity without ensuring women are at the forefront of our digital economy,” she stated. “Through platforms like eTrade for Women, ECOWAS is committed to nurturing homegrown innovation and empowering women entrepreneurs to become global digital leaders.”
The workshop featured hands-on sessions on e-commerce platforms, cross-border digital payments, regulatory frameworks, and access to digital infrastructure — all tailored to the unique challenges and opportunities facing women-led businesses in the region. It also highlighted success stories from across West Africa, reinforcing the message that women are not just participants in the digital economy, but its driving force.
UNCTAD’s Director of Technology and Logistics, Shamika N. Sirimanne, praised the collaboration, calling it “a turning point for gender and trade policy in the digital era.” She noted that digital entrepreneurship is one of the most promising pathways for inclusive growth, particularly in post-pandemic Africa, where the tech sector continues to outpace traditional industries.
With digital trade accounting for a growing share of economic activity in West Africa, the workshop marked a strategic milestone in ECOWAS’s broader agenda to create a digitally connected and inclusive region. As WARDIP continues to invest in digital infrastructure and integration, initiatives like eTrade for Women are poised to ensure that no one — especially women — is left behind.
As the sun set over Lagos, one thing became clear: West Africa’s digital future is being written by women — innovators, disruptors, and leaders — who are not just ready for the digital age but are determined to shape it.
