Women Key to Nigeria’s Green Economy Growth

The European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, has emphasised that women are central to building Nigeria’s green economy, calling for stronger investment and inclusion to unlock their full potential.

Mignot made this known on Tuesday in Abuja at the Women Leading Climate Action, Green Economy Dialogue convened by Amanda Archibong-Doukouré.

“This evening is really an important timely conversation… the question before us, what would be Nigeria’s green economy, is both simple and profound because the answer will determine not only the future of Nigeria’s economy, but also the resilience of its communities, the inclusiveness of its growth and its contribution to global climate action.”

He stressed that Nigeria holds vast untapped potential, particularly among women, who already play critical roles across key sectors of the economy.

“Nigeria is a country with large untapped potential, but perhaps the largest untapped potential in Nigeria is women and women’s potential,” he said.

According to him, women account for over 70 per cent of Nigeria’s informal economy and between 50 and 70 per cent of smallholder agricultural labour, while remaining key players in markets and regional value chains.

However, he noted that despite their contributions, women remain largely excluded from access to finance, investment opportunities, and leadership roles shaping the green economy.

“Yet, despite this central role, they remain underrepresented where it matters most, in access to finance, in investment pipelines, and in leadership and decision-making spaces shaping the green economy.”

Mignot acknowledged that women are already driving Nigeria’s green transition but questioned whether enough is being done to support them.

“If we ask who will build Nigeria’s green economy, the answer is clear, women are already establishing it. The big question is whether we are enabling them to lead it, scale it and benefit from it.”

He called for inclusive financing systems that can support women-led businesses, many of which remain small or informal due to structural challenges.

“Financing the green economy is not only about mobilising capital, but it is also about ensuring inclusion… building investment pipelines that are diverse, financial systems that are accessible and ecosystems that connect entrepreneurs to opportunity.”

The EU ambassador reaffirmed the bloc’s commitment to supporting Nigeria through initiatives in renewable energy, climate finance, sustainable value chains, and women-led enterprises.

Speaking at the event, convener Amanda Archibong-Doukouré said women-led businesses driving grassroots climate action remain largely excluded from formal financing systems.

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She noted that while Nigeria is undergoing an energy transition and exploring new opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area, structural barriers still limit access to capital for women-led enterprises.

“We are standing at a defining intersection. The opportunity is immense, but the businesses closest to delivering real climate impact… are not the ones being financed.”

Archibong highlighted that women dominate critical areas such as last-mile distribution, agro-processing, clean energy adoption, and circular economy systems, yet remain “largely invisible” to formal investors.

She also identified a “missing middle” gap between grant-funded startups and investment-ready businesses.

“Many businesses are too advanced for grants and not yet structured for investment. That is where many women-led green enterprises sit today.”

The dialogue comes amid growing calls for inclusive climate action as Nigeria explores pathways toward a low-carbon and sustainable economy.

Development partners, including the European Union, continue to stress that improving women’s access to finance, markets, and decision-making spaces is key to accelerating green growth in the country.