First City Monument Bank says it has launched the SheVentures Export Readiness Programme, a new initiative to support women-owned businesses in Nigeria looking to expand into global markets.

According to a statement, the programme would give participants access to insightful knowledge, focused advisory, and zero-interest loans to fund their export trade logistics.

The Managing Director, FCMB, Yemisi Edun, said the mission of the SheVentures Export Readiness Programme was to support women-owned businesses to export their products and services worldwide.

She said, “We provide interest-free loans, training, and mentoring to help overcome common challenges such as lack of financial resources and knowledge gap.

“Our ultimate goal is to empower Nigerian SMEs to scale beyond their local markets by connecting them with other businesses globally and leveraging the vast opportunities of globalisation.”

According to the statement, the SheVentures Export Readiness Programme is open to all women-owned SMEs in Nigeria who are interested in reaching new markets and growing their businesses.

The programme would include a series of training modules on topics such as export market research, product development, and export documentation. Participants would also have the opportunity to receive one-on-one mentoring from experienced exporters.

The Head of Women in Business (SheVentures) at FCMB, Yetunde Moito, said, “Nigerian businesswomen face many challenges in their quest to grow successful businesses. That is why FCMB is giving added support to businesswomen who own or run a business in Nigeria, providing the support they need to thrive.

“The SheVentures Export Readiness Programme is a game-changer for Nigerian women entrepreneurs, empowering them to scale globally and bridge the capacity and financial gap hindering their full potential.”