Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mariam Katagum, reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to prioritise, promote and empower micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), especially those owned by women. She made these remarks during the 2023 International Women’s Day celebration organised by the Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME) on Thursday. Katagum highlighted the event’s theme, “DigitAll: Innovation and technology for gender equality,” as particularly apt given current global realities. She noted that technology has improved lives through better communication, facilitation and connectivity, and emphasized that gender equity is a smart venture—yet involving women in innovation and technology is even smarter.
The minister called for collaboration across government, civil society, the private sector and the technical community to ensure the benefits of digital technology are distributed equitably. She reaffirmed the Federal Government’s dedication to developing MSMEs, with a focus on women‑owned businesses, and expressed optimism that the discussions and participants at the event would generate recommendations to deepen innovative services for the benefit of women‑owned enterprises and the nation as a whole. Katagum also reminded attendees of the immense potential of digital transformation to accelerate gender equality and women’s empowerment, while warning that it could also reinforce existing gender inequalities if not managed carefully. She urged that, as the world becomes increasingly digital, women and girls must be enabled to become active agents of change.
Emphasising the importance of the internet, Katagum stressed the need for greater investment in women’s and girls’ digital literacy and familiarity with technology. Such investment would allow them to participate effectively in the digital economy and access services such as education, healthcare and online banking. She recognised the steady growth of women‑owned enterprises over the years and encouraged women to embrace technology and innovation in their businesses, noting that these tools can drive growth and expand opportunities for realising women’s rights in Africa.
Abdulrashid Yerima, President and Chairman of the NASME Governing Council, also addressed the gathering. He affirmed that gender equality is essential for sustainable development and that NASME is committed to promoting women’s rights and opportunities in the business world. Yerima outlined the association’s vision of creating an environment where women entrepreneurs can thrive and contribute to economic growth, and its mission to provide support and advocacy for SMEs, ensuring women have access to necessary resources.
Yerima highlighted the role of innovation and technology in achieving gender equality, stating that technology can transform lives and create opportunities. Through its partnership with DigitAll, NASME aims to leverage technology to advance women in business, helping entrepreneurs overcome barriers and reach their full potential. He noted that these efforts align with the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 5 on gender equality. Concluding, Yerima thanked participants for their commitment to gender equality and called for continued collaboration to create a world where women have equal opportunities to succeed in business.
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