SWEEP: Empowering Women Entrepreneurs with a Free 4-Week Intensive Course

The Scaling Women’s Economic Empowerment through Affirmative Procurement Reforms (SWEEP) initiative is dedicated to dismantling barriers that hinder women-owned and led businesses (WOLBs) in Nigeria’s procurement sector. Despite women entrepreneurs constituting 40% of Nigerian businesses, they encounter significant challenges in securing public contracts, limiting their economic influence.

Program Overview:

In collaboration with the World Bank and the Young Professionals Program (YPP), SWEEP offers a comprehensive 4-week hybrid course designed to equip women entrepreneurs with essential procurement skills applicable to both public and private sector contracts. The program is open to women entrepreneurs across all economic sectors in Abuja. Through targeted training, mentorship, and engagement with key stakeholders, SWEEP addresses obstacles such as financial access, information gaps, and business formalization, empowering WOLBs in Abuja to compete effectively in procurement processes.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Women Entrepreneurs in Abuja: Businesses must be owned or led by women operating within Abuja.
• Commitment to Participation: Applicants should be dedicated to attending all training sessions.
• Informal or Early-Stage Businesses: Priority is given to businesses that are not fully formalized and require guidance in formalization.
• Financial Flexibility: No stringent financial prerequisites; businesses with limited financial resources are encouraged to apply.
• Willingness to Formalize: Applicants must be open to formalizing their business operations as part of the training.

Criteria for Women-Owned/Women-Led Businesses:

• Women-Owned Enterprises: At least 51% ownership by women.
• Leadership Criteria: Minimum 20% women ownership with women in key leadership roles (e.g., CEO, COO).
• Board Representation: Businesses with 30% female representation on the board are prioritized.

Curriculum Structure:

The program spans one month, comprising three core modules delivered over 11 classes, each lasting 2 to 4 hours (including a 15-minute break). The hybrid format combines in-person interactions with online learning for flexibility and accessibility.

Module 1: Procurement Access

• Understanding Public and Private Sector Procurement Processes
• Affirmative and Digital Procurement
• Bid Preparation and Contract Lifecycle Management
• Procurement Compliance and Legal Considerations

Module 2: Innovative Financial Inclusion Models for Women Entrepreneurs

• Access to Capital: Microloans, Grants, and Alternative Financing Models
• Business Resilience and Adaptive Financial Strategies
• Financial Planning and Capital Efficiency
• Tax Compliance and Legal Registration

Module 3: Digital Skills Mastery for Women-Led Businesses

• Leveraging Social Media for Business Visibility and Customer Engagement
• Navigating E-Procurement Platforms and Digital Payment Systems
• Website Optimization and Digital Marketing Strategies

Application Process:

Interested applicants should visit the official SWEEP website to complete the application form. The selection process will assess eligibility and commitment to the program’s objectives.

For more details and to apply, visit the official website: SWEEP Official Website

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