GDP per Capita per State (2010)

Nigeria’s Top 10 Exports

Oil Cocoa Oil Seeds Raw Hides Ships, Boats

Copper Rubber Aluminum Ores, Slag, Ash Wood

Factor Analysis

Political

• Policies and programs for women-owned businesses are inefficient, likewise government attitude and transparency towards them.

• Many institutions created to assist women-owned businesses are grossly incapable. Most of the time, women business owners are not even aware that any such support exists because of the political bureaucracy involved.

• Without the much needed government support, many women usually have to prematurely terminate their dream of running their own businesses.

• Nigerian politics is highly capital intensive, requiring massive sponsorship from donors which female candidates rarely receive.

• Men usually have competitive advantage over women because of the wide economic disparity between them.

Economic

• Women constitute more than 50% of the Nigerian population but only about 35% of them own businesses.

• There is a reluctance by the formal public institutions to help women in micro and small enterprise.

• Some women are unaware of specific support mechanisms, including sources of funding for income generating activities.

• Of small businesses in Nigeria, women-owned businesses are one of the fastest growing.

• Most women still struggle to secure financing because they do not have assets of their own to offer collateral.

Societal

• Years ago, there were more stay-at-home mothers in Nigeria than today. • Women are expected to be primary caretakers of the home even when they

decide to keep working through childbearing years. • Challenges women face force most of them to engage in micro enterprises to

generate income and provide for their families. • Some Nigerian women are dependent on male family members because of

the patriarchal social structure and most resist starting a business if there is an objection.

• The independent spirit of entrepreneurship is flawed when others are counted on to make critical decisions sometimes hindering women from starting their own business.

Technology

• An increasing number of women entrepreneurs in Nigeria are starting lucrative businesses with minimal investments like simple low-cost devices such as mobile phones.

• Women in the professional services and business support industries use a lot of technology-based services like CRM, accounting, inventory management and human resources.

• Technology is transforming the lives of women business owners in Nigeria as they are playing a significant role in developing their communities and creating jobs.

Legal

• There are no laws discriminating on the basis of gender. • Nigerian legislation requires employers to provide maternity leave and job

protection during pregnancy. • Maternity leave for federal public servants has been increased from 12 weeks

to 16 weeks with fully pay.

Nigeria’s Business Landscape by Industry

WEConnect International Activity in Nigeria as of 2015

Top Industries

Manufacturing Professional Services

Food and Beverage

Retail Trade Utilities

Arts and Entertainment

Agriculture and Forestry

Electricity, Gas and Oil

Business Support

Wholesale Trade

Health Care, Medicine

Human Resources