(Geneva) – The WTO–ITC Women Exporters in the Digital Economy (WEIDE) Fund is proud to announce the selection of the first cohort of women-led micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the Dominican Republic, Mongolia, and Nigeria. These businesses will receive targeted support to boost their digital capabilities, financial readiness, and export potential.
The selected women-led MSMEs will benefit from tailored technical assistance, training, and financial grants designed to enable growth and internationalization. This marks an important milestone in the WEIDE Fund’s mission to create more inclusive trade ecosystems and unlock global markets for women entrepreneurs.
As Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, WTO Director-General, stated: “Digital trade is reshaping the global economy and women — including those in developing countries — must be at the forefront.”
Pamela Coke-Hamilton, ITC Executive Director, added: “We are committed to breaking barriers for women exporters and ensuring they have the resources needed to succeed in the digital economy.”
The WEIDE Fund is a joint initiative of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Secretariat and the International Trade Centre (ITC), made possible thanks to the generous support of the United Arab Emirates, the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Legacy Fund, and Bahrain.
In each country, the WEIDE Fund collaborates with the following business support organizations (BSOs) to strengthen outreach and local engagement:
ProDominicana
Jordan Enterprise Development Corporation (JEDCO)
Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MNCCI)
Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC)
Strong Interest and Turnout
The call for applications generated robust interest across all three participating countries - Dominican Republic, Mongolia, and Nigeria - with over 69,000 total applications received and 236 women-led MSMEs selected.
Jordan is also among the first WEIDE Fund countries, with its launch activities to be announced shortly.
Upcoming Country Launch Events
In each country, selected women-led MSMEs will participate in a two-day programme combining a high-level launch ceremony with in-person technical training and capacity-building. The launch events will convene representatives from national governments, local partners, international donors, and WTO Secretariat and ITC leadership. Events will take place in:
Nigeria – 14 August 2025
Mongolia – 25 August 2025
Dominican Republic – To be announced
Jordan – To be announced
These events aim not only to celebrate the selected women and officially kick off their 12-month WEIDE programme, but also to amplify the Fund’s vision of collaboration, innovation, and inclusive trade.
About the WEIDE Fund
The Women Exporters in the Digital Economy (WEIDE) Fund is a $50 million fund supporting women-led MSMEs to overcome barriers to trade by improving access to finance, digital skills, international markets, and support networks. The Fund seeks to foster sustainable and inclusive economic development through targeted technical assistance and strategic partnerships.
For more information, please contact: weidefund@intracen.org or visit www.wto.org/weidefund
About the International Trade Centre – ITC is the joint agency of the World Trade Organization and the United Nations. ITC assists small and medium-sized enterprises in developing and transition economies to become more competitive in global markets, thereby contributing to sustainable economic development within the frameworks of the Aid-for-Trade agenda and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
For more information, visit www.intracen.org. Follow ITC on X | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram | Flickr
Media contact
Susanna Pak
Senior Strategic Communications Officer
Office of the Executive Director
International Trade Centre
E: press@intracen.org