Do Take Action Do. in collaboration with The World Bank World Bank hosted an event that was themed: Scaling Up Impact: Women’s Economic Empowerment through Affirmative Procurement.
This event held on the 13th of May, 2025 and it also hosted a panel discussion titled “Leveraging Stakeholder Collaboration to Advocate & Accelerate Affirmative Procurement for Women-Owned Businesses in Nigeria”. The discussion brought together key stakeholders to explore practical strategies for creating an enabling environment for women-owned businesses and Evolve Africa Initiative’s Executive Director was among the panelists.
It has been noted that despite the vital role women play in driving economic growth and development, women-owned businesses in Nigeria face significant challenges in accessing public procurement opportunities, with less than 1% of contracts being awarded to them.The discussion focused on policy frameworks, institutional readiness, capacity building, and financing solutions that can transform the business landscape for women entrepreneurs.
Expert panelists shared insights on how to develop critical capabilities for women entrepreneurs, advocate for procurement reforms, and create inclusive initiatives that benefit all women, including those with disabilities and from marginalized groups. The panel also explored innovative financing solutions, accountability mechanisms, and technology platforms that can simplify access to procurement opportunities and application processes.
By working together, we can create an inclusive economic environment that upscales women-owned businesses to thrive. The World Bank’s commitment to supporting women-owned businesses is evident in initiatives like this, and Evolve Africa Initiative looks forward to continued collaboration and progress towards a more equitable business landscape.