Lagos reaffirms commitment to Women-led Economic Growth

The Lagos State Government has reiterated its resolve to place women at the forefront of its economic development agenda, positioning female entrepreneurs as critical drivers of inclusive growth across key sectors.

The Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, stated this on Tuesday at the International Women’s Day celebration for women in Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and nano businesses, held at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja.

The event, organised by the Ministry of Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment (MCCTI), was themed: “Accelerating Women’s Economic Empowerment for Inclusive Growth in Lagos State.”

Ambrose-Medebem said the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu continues to prioritise policies that advance women’s economic empowerment, describing it as central to sustainable development in the state.

She explained that empowerment goes beyond access to finance, stressing the need to enable women to earn income, own assets, invest, and actively participate in decision-making processes that affect their lives.

According to her, the state has moved from policy declarations to practical interventions by implementing targeted programmes and forging strategic partnerships to increase women’s participation in sectors such as trade, technology, manufacturing, agriculture and the creative industry.

The commissioner further stressed the importance of capacity building, noting that access to funding must be complemented with the right skills, knowledge and networks.

She said the government is investing in initiatives that equip women with business management expertise, digital tools and improved market access to remove barriers limiting their economic participation.

Ambrose-Medebem also advocated the passage of the Reserved Seats Bill for women, noting that greater political representation would strengthen ongoing efforts at economic inclusion.

She assured that Lagos would continue to build systems that prepare women not only for economic participation but also for leadership roles across sectors.

In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of MCCTI, Babatunde Onigbanjo, said the event was designed to celebrate the resilience, innovation and entrepreneurial contributions of women in Lagos.

He noted that empowering women translates into stronger families, more sustainable businesses and resilient communities, adding that the ministry is working with private sector players, development partners and financial institutions to expand opportunities and support women in scaling their enterprises.

Also speaking, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Hausa Adeeyo, expressed optimism that participants would gain practical knowledge to enhance their businesses.

She reaffirmed the state’s commitment to helping women transition from informal to formal business structures through simplified registration processes and improved regulatory awareness.