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Coalition seeks to expand regional economic opportunities for women and young entrepreneurs.
ESBC organized the Council of Presidents Retreat, which took place between March 10 and 15 at TechPark – Praia, bringing together ECOWAS leaders with the aim of strengthening MSMEs, with a special focus on women and young entrepreneurs. The event promoted partnerships and regional integration, as well as debates on topics such as financing, innovation, and sustainability.
The ECOWAS Private Sector Directorate holds training for West African MSMEs on leveraging AfCFTA and ETLS to boost subregional economic growth and integration.
In March 2025, the Private Sector Directorate promoted a training initiative aimed at MSMEs in West Africa, with a view to preparing them to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS).
The initiative focused on strengthening sub-regional integration, promoting gender-sensitive inclusive trade policies in all Member States, and empowering MSMEs to drive economic growth, in line with ECOWAS Vision 2050.
ESBC International Meeting in Praia reinforces commitment to MSME growth and regional integration in ECOWAS
At the “Business Opportunities in Cape Verde” panel, held in March 2025, Marcos Rodrigues highlighted the need to reduce Africa’s dependence on imports by promoting local production, innovation, and business cooperation.
He also noted that Cape Verde is a country with strong potential for economic diversification and can serve as a laboratory for innovation in sectors such as tourism, agribusiness, renewable energy, and vocational training.
ECOWAS Small Business Coalition praises Commission’s support for women traders
The ECOWAS Small Business Coalition (ESBC) praised the ECOWAS Private Sector Directorate for its support of women traders in West Africa.
ESBC President Dr. Abdulrashid Yerima highlighted the success of the ECOWAS 2025 Caravan, considered a transformative milestone in women’s cross-border trade, which strengthened alliances, promoted political dialogue, and drove action toward more inclusive trade policies.
The initiative is part of the ECOWAS Vision 2050 efforts, which prioritize economic integration, private sector development, and gender inclusion.
Dr. Yerima advocates for financial inclusion and access to credit for young entrepreneurs and MSMEs in Nigeria
We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Yerima, the esteemed ESBC regional President and President of the ESBC Nigeria Chapter, participated in the National Credit Guarantee Company Stakeholder Forum.
He joined other distinguished panelists in an engaging discussion on the topic “Fostering Inclusive Growth through Credit for Youth-Owned Businesses and MSMEs.”
This discussion is a testament to the administration’s unwavering dedication to minimising risks associated with lending, championing financial inclusion, and opening doors to credit for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), along with local manufacturers and consumers across Nigeria.