Nigeria seeks new partnerships to boost women’s economic opportunities

Nigeria is pursuing new international partnerships to expand economic opportunities for women. During the RISE 2026 conference in Belgrade, Serbia, Nigeria’s Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, held bilateral meetings to discuss cooperation with the United Arab Emirates, Switzerland, Romania, and Türkiye.

Key proposals include a biannual Nigeria-UAE Economic Forum and the establishment of a Global Village Trade Fair featuring dedicated pavilions for women entrepreneurs. These initiatives aim to facilitate business networking, market access, and cross-border partnerships.

In discussions with the UAE Gender Balance Council, officials explored advancing women’s leadership through legislation and workplace policies, such as maternity benefits and remote-working arrangements. Additionally, meetings with Swiss representatives focused on technology transfer, women’s economic empowerment, and investment in child development.