WEYINMI ERIBO’S multi-sectoral expertise is her distinguishing factor

RECENTLY named top 50 African Women in Development and top 100 Career Women in Africa 2024, Weyinmi Eribo currently serves as the pioneer Director-general of the Women Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture in Nigeria.

A trained geologist cum development expert, she is a highly experienced leader with almost 15 years of progressive multi-sectoral expertise spanning oil and gas, extractives, impact investing with a focus on gender, international development, non-profit management, financial inclusion, agribusiness, and entrepreneurship.

She has been involved in numerous significant national and international projects that have played a vital role in the development of both public and private sector institutions and was a member of the ministerial focal group for the design of the Nigeria Youth Investment Fund.

Weyinmi’s educational background includes an ongoing masters in International Business from SOAS, University of London, a certificate in entrepreneurial management from the Enterprise Development Centre, a certificate in nonprofit leadership from Lagos Business School, a certificate in entrepreneurship in emerging economies from Harvardx, a certificate in Global Governance from the European school of leadership, a certificate in gender mainstreaming in Development from MDF, Netherlands, a bachelor’s degree in Geology, from Delta State University, along with several other qualifications.

CAN you tell us more about your role as the pioneer Director-general of the Women Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (WCCIMA) in Nigeria?

The women chamber of commerce, industry, mines and agriculture was set up to be the leading voice of women in the organised private sector. In 2005, the women’s trade group was set up within the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) to streamline support for women within the chambers. To provide a more prominent platform, WCCIMA was set up to ensure that women have their voice signaling a strategic shift towards a more comprehensive and specialised approach to empowering women in commerce and industry. It is also an important platform to bring more Nigerian women into the chamber movement across the world, starting in Nigeria, ensuring that more women are brought into leadership positions in trade and industry.

Our vision at WCCIMA is to be the foremost catalyst for women’s economic development in Nigeria and beyond. Our goal is to advance the role of women in business, not just as participants, but as leaders,

influencers, and innovators. We aim to drive sustainable economic growth, foster innovation, and influence policies for gender equality in business, making an impactful and transformative contribution to the global business landscape.

In my role as pioneer DG, I am tasked with setting up and positioning WCCIMA as the leading women’s chamber of commerce and industry, not just in Nigeria but across the world. I aim to position WCCIMA as a bridge for Nigerian women entrepreneurs across the world, through advocacy, partnerships, and strategic collaborations.

Howdidyourbackgroundasa trained geologist and developmentexpertcontributetoyour work in promoting women’s participation in various industries, such as oil and gas, extractives, and agribusiness?

My career span across several sectors has been a blessing because it gives me a baseline understanding of the roles and needs of women across the sectors that we engage in. Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of working within these sectors, and it has provided great insights into some of the most significant areas in which women excel and where they require support, this has become very instrumental in the way we understand that a one-sizedfits-all

nd think through interventions, approach cannot be deployed programs and projects we design in designing effective and implement. interventions and programmes. Women are at different phases of their lives and so are their businesses, it is therefore important to consider the intersections of the needs of women and curate support that meets them where they are. This is where impact investing comes in, to ensure that patient capital, which could

Share some examples of the initiatives you have spearheaded to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment in the business sector in Nigeria

To ensure that women businesses have access to funding, suitable for their businesses, I worked with the team at LAPO Microfinance Bank to design a special savings and loan product for female breadwinners which is now accessible across all their branches. This we have replicated for health insurance, business insurance, and equipment leasing to support womenowned businesses.

How have you utilised impact investing to support gender-focused projects and businesses in Nigeria? Can you provide some examples of successful ventures that have received support through impact investments?

In thinking through supporting women entrepreneurs and businesses, it is important to include grants or low/no interest ratedebtareadequatelydeployed to women-owned businesses, and businesses that advance women’s empowerment, to support their growth and sustainability. The importance of this is that it intentionally brings light to women-owned businesses which may not have had the opportunity to compete with other businesses but have the potential to.

As part of the COVID-19 recovery for women-owned businesses in Nigeria, I managed a grant programme, funded by the USADF to provide grants for women-owned businesses across Nigeria. One major part of this was to ensure that these businesses were supported to digitise their businesses to ensure they do not lose out on the digital economy. The deployment of this grant ensured that these businesses were able to withstand the negative effects of the pandemic and remained in business.

As we build out WCCIMA, it will be a strategic platform for developing a pipeline of investment-ready Nigerian womenowned/led enterprises, ensuring that women entrepreneurs receive a blend adequate and effective capacity building and knowledge across various levels, relevant funding, are better positioned to take on leadership roles across sectors.

In your opinion, what are some of the major barriers that women face when it comes to financial inclusion and entrepreneurship in Nigeria? How can these barriers be addressed effectively?

Women face a myriad of challenges in accessing finance and building successful enterprises but some of the major ones include a lack of capacity, a huge knowledge gap, financial illiteracy, digital literacy and religion, traditional customs as well as stereotypical gender roles, defined by society. As women, we have to deal with the effects of unconscious bias that not only we carry, but that of others as well. These biases affect confidence and generally prevent women from taking up opportunities, usually more often than not, opportunities they are even overqualified for. We also see a lack of mentorship or sponsorship, and the ability to harness their networks.

To address these issues, WCCIMA

is strategic in its approach to design projects, programmes, and interventions, through strategic partnerships with relevant institutions that address the needs of women to effectively overcome these barriers. Investment readiness programmes, capacity building, mentorship, policy interactions, tailored networking events, trade fairs, and other interventions are in the works to better position women to run successful enterprises across sectors.

What strategies have you employed to encourage more women to pursue careers in traditionally maledominated sectors such as oil and gas and extractives?

At the Women’s Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (WCCIMA) we understand that women’s representation across all sectors, including the traditionally male-dominated sectors is extremely important and we are very intentional about ensuring that women are equipped to participate and lead in such industries. To do this, we are building strong awareness campaigns and platforms that enhance the knowledge and skills required through sector-specific programmes and workshops, mentoring programmes linking experienced women in these sectors with aspiring women, and those who are in middle career levels. We also ensure that we highlight success stories of women who are excelling in these industries as role models and encourage networking events. Furthermore, we advocate for gender-responsive policies within industries, urging companies to adopt affirmative action strategies and engage with government authorities to encourage supportive legislation and regulations. WCCIMA also understands the need for strategic collaboration and partnerships with other industry associations, chambers of commerce, and professional networks to create opportunities for women.

Our vision at WCCIMA is to be the foremost catalyst for women’s economic development in Nigeria and beyond