The Women in Energy Network (WIEN) has commended the leadership of the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM) for its continued support for women-owned businesses in the energy sector through the Women in Oil and Gas Intervention Fund.
The commendation came during a strategic engagement with the Bank, WIEN acknowledged that the NCDMB-backed facility has been one of the agency’s strongest-performing intervention funds, delivering measurable returns and supporting credible women-led enterprises across the energy value chain.
However, the Network noted that overall fund utilization remains below optimal levels — not due to lack of capable women-owned businesses, but due to limited access to bankable contract opportunities.
“With over 80 verified women-owned businesses in our directory, the challenge is not capacity or interest,” WIEN stated. “The primary constraint is access to qualifying contracts that unlock working capital financing.”
The Network explained that many women-led firms face structural hurdles: financing is available, but contract opportunities that meet lending criteria are limited. Without bankable contracts, businesses are unable to access and deploy the available capital effectively.
WIEN emphasized that expanding procurement visibility and structured contracting pathways for women-owned businesses would significantly improve fund utilization and accelerate capacity growth.
Discussions also explored the potential review of the single obligor limit under the facility to accommodate larger transactions and enable qualified women entrepreneurs to scale operations, acquire equipment, and move progressively toward asset ownership within the sector.
NEXIM reaffirmed its commitment to supporting women-owned enterprises that meet the eligibility requirements and noted that disbursements continue to be made in line with the fund’s operational framework.
WIEN highlighted Loyz Marine Services Limited as a reference point and success story of the Women in Oil and Gas Fund, demonstrating how structured financing can catalyze sustainable indigenous capacity development.
Both institutions agreed on the need for increased advocacy and awareness to ensure more women-owned businesses understand the procedures and accessibility pathways of the fund.
WIEN also emphasized the importance of continued collaboration with the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board to ensure local content implementation remains growth-focused and capacity-expanding.
“Opportunity drives capacity,” the Network stated. “When structured access to contracts aligns with structured access to capital, indigenous women-owned enterprises can scale responsibly and compete effectively.”
WIEN reaffirmed its full support and collaboration with NEXIM to strengthen access, improve utilization, and expand the participation of women-owned businesses within Nigeria’s energy sector.
