The Enugu State Government has taken a major step toward advancing women’s economic empowerment by launching the Enugu Women Economic Empowerment Fund (E-WE Fund). This initiative comes in partnership with the World Bank under the Nigeria for Women Project (NFWP).
Governor Peter Mbah officially launched the program on Tuesday in Enugu, announcing that the state secured a ₦2 billion World Bank-backed loan to support the cause. With an initial disbursement of ₦1 billion, the fund will offer financial and technical support to women entrepreneurs across Enugu State.
According to the governor, the E-WE Fund targets grassroots women entrepreneurs, particularly those in agriculture, trade, fashion, and other micro-scale ventures. He emphasized that the initiative aligns with his administration’s broader commitment to eliminating poverty and creating sustainable livelihoods for women.
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“We are determined to close the gender gap in access to finance and opportunities. This fund is not a token gesture, it’s a practical strategy to lift thousands of women into economic stability and growth,” Governor Mbah said during the launch.
So far, the project has mobilized over 25,000 women into Women Affinity Groups (WAGs) across the state’s 17 local government areas. These groups will serve as vehicles for disbursing funds and providing capacity-building support to the beneficiaries.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Ngozi Enih, also highlighted that the program would train women on financial literacy, cooperative management, and entrepreneurship. She described the E-WE Fund as a “game-changer” for female-owned businesses in the state.
Additionally, officials from the World Bank commended Enugu’s approach, noting that the state’s swift implementation of the NFWP made it eligible for the scale-up funding.
With the E-WE Fund now in motion, women entrepreneurs in Enugu have a new lifeline that could unlock financial independence, drive innovation, and ultimately transform communities.
