Stakeholders Demand Equitable Financial Systems as Nigerian Female Entrepreneurs Face $158 Billion Credit Gap in Green Economy

EU and WLCA stakeholders call for improved access to finance for Nigerian women-led green businesses, highlighting a $158 billion credit gap in the sector.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 2, 2026, 3:42 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from THISDAY

European Union Advocates for Accessible Investment Pipelines

The Ambassador of the European Union to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, has emphasized that the success of Nigeria’s green economy depends on connecting capital to localized solutions rather than just mobilizing large sums. Speaking at a forum in Abuja, Mignot highlighted a critical disconnect between available international funding and the entrepreneurs actually building climate impact on the ground. According to the Ambassador, a functional ecosystem must be designed to recognize and serve these underrepresented actors, ensuring that the financial systems are as diverse as the investment pipelines they aim to create.

Women Anchor Nigeria’s Informal and Agricultural Sectors

The economic contribution of women in Nigeria is disproportionately high compared to their presence in formal decision making spaces. Ambassador Mignot noted that women currently represent over 70 percent of the nation’s informal economy and provide between 50 and 70 percent of small-holder agricultural labor. Despite being the primary actors in regional value chains and local markets, these women are frequently excluded from the leadership roles that shape green economy policy. This exclusion creates a barrier to entry for women-led solutions that are essential for long term sustainable growth in the West African region.

Structural Misalignment Hinders Early Stage Green Businesses

Amanda Archibong-Doukouré, the Founder of Women Leading Climate Action, pointed out a significant $158 billion financing gap within the 40 million MSMEs currently operating in Nigeria. While the country manages to mobilize approximately $2.5 billion in climate finance each year, this figure represents only about 8 percent of the total requirement. According to Archibong-Doukouré, the primary issue is not just a lack of capital but "misaligned capital" that is structured for large-scale projects requiring strong collateral. This systemic design effectively shuts out early-stage businesses, particularly those led by women in last-mile distribution and clean energy adoption.