8 SEPTEMBER2023W MAN LEADERGLOBAL W MAN LEADERGLOBAL NEWS BITESFirst City Monument Bank (FCMB) has announced the start of the SheVentures Export Readiness Programme in a significant step to boost women entrepreneurship and contribute to the growth of Nigeria's economy. This project aims to provide critical assistance to Nigerian women-owned businesses looking to expand their reach into global markets.The SheVentures Export Readiness Programme is a comprehensive initiative that provides participants with the essential information, targeted advice, and access to zero-interest loans to help them enter foreign markets. "Our mission with the SheVentures Export Readiness Programme is to support women-owned businesses in exporting their products and services globally," said Yemisi Edun, Managing Director of FCMB. We provide interest-free loans, training, and coaching to assist people in overcoming typical obstacles such as a lack of financial resources and a knowledge gap. Our ultimate objective is to enable Nigerian SMEs to expand beyond their local markets by linking them with other firms across the world and capitalising on globalization's immense prospects."This programme is accessible to all Nigerian women-owned small and medium-sized companies (SMEs) looking to develop their firm into new markets. It will include a series of training courses that will cover important issues such export market research, product creation, and export paperwork. Participants will also get the opportunity to receive one-on-one coaching from experienced exporters, which will be helpful."Nigerian businesswomen face many challenges in their quest to grow successful businesses," says Ms. Yetunde Moito, Head of Women in Business (SheVentures) at FCMB. That is why FCMB is offering additional assistance to Nigerian businesswomen who own or operate a business, allowing them to grow. The SheVentures Export Readiness Programme is a game changer for Nigerian women entrepreneurs, enabling them to grow worldwide and overcome the capacity and financial gaps that are preventing them from reaching their full potential."According to a recent National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) study, Nigeria has over 41 million SMEs, with women controlling 40 percent of them. These women-owned firms are expected to generate 8.9 million employment over the next five years, contributing significantly to the national economy. This demonstrates the critical role that women can play in Nigeria's growth and development if they are given the required money, capacity-building, networking opportunities, and other assistance.FCMB SheVentures has made significant progress in boosting the female economy over the last four years through several projects focused at assisting women-owned SMEs. The bank has provided up to one billion Naira in zero-interest loans to hundreds of women-owned SMEs around the country, as well as free training, mentorship, and capacity-building programmes to thousands of female entrepreneurs.The SheVentures Export Readiness Programme works in tandem with the government's attempts to increase non-oil exports and foreign exchange revenues. FCMB hopes to actively contribute to the achievement of this critical national objective through supporting women entrepreneurs.First City Monument Bank (FCMB) is a subsidiary of FCMB Group Plc, which is dedicated to promoting equitable and sustainable growth in its communities. The bank's concept is based in Africa, and it aims to link people, capital, and markets in order to establish an innovative financial ecosystem. FCMB is actively attempting to promote the economic well-being of companies and Nigerians through programmes such as Energy Finance loans. FCMB LAUNCHES SHEVENTURES EXPORT PROGRAMME TO EMPOWER WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS GLOBALLY
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