In a significant move to boost women-led entrepreneurship and deepen economic ties between BRICS nations and Africa, the BRICS Women’s Business Alliance (WBA) has announced plans to open a regional office in Nigeria.
The announcement was made in Abuja on Tuesday during a press briefing, following a two-day working visit by a five-member delegation from Russia, led by Anna Nesterova, Chairperson of the BRICS Russia WBA chapter.
The BRICS WBA is a private-sector initiative under the broader BRICS economic bloc comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa and is focused on fostering collaboration in key sectors such as: technology, agriculture, healthcare, education and labour mobility.
Nesterova described Nigeria as a strategic entry point for BRICS engagement in West Africa, citing its large market, entrepreneurial energy, and youthful population.
“Nigeria is a promising market, and we see great potential in working with local partners. This visit is the first step toward establishing a long-term presence in the country,” she said.
She emphasized that the BRICS WBA seeks practical and measurable outcomes, with each national chapter accountable for delivering results.
During the visit, the Russian team held a closed-door meeting with Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, at the State House.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu described the proposed office as a “welcome development” aligned with the economic priorities of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, including:
- Inclusive economic growth
- Empowerment of women and youth
- Expansion of global partnerships
“This visit opens a new chapter for strategic cooperation between Nigeria and Russia through the BRICS platform. We are ready to work closely with our Russian counterparts to promote inclusive prosperity,” the minister said.
She praised First Lady Oluremi Tinubu for her support of the initiative, describing her as “a shining example of the power of women in shaping societies and building bridges across nations.”
A statement from the Minister’s media aide, Magnus Eze, highlighted priority areas for collaboration: Agriculture and food processing, Digital innovation and education and Energy and infrastructure development.
The statement also noted that women entrepreneurs would be central to ensuring the sustainability and inclusiveness of any BRICS–Nigeria partnerships.
“This gathering must result in actionable outcomes cooperation frameworks, joint ventures, and meaningful networks between Nigerian and Russian women in business.”
Plans are now underway to begin the process of establishing the regional BRICS WBA office in Nigeria, which is expected to serve as a hub for coordinating trade, innovation, and enterprise support among African and BRICS nations.
Nesterova affirmed the alliance’s commitment to the Nigerian market, saying:
“We are not here just for meetings. We are here to act. Opening our office in Nigeria is the first of many steps in developing strong, lasting partnerships.”
Launched in 2020, the BRICS WBA aims to empower women entrepreneurs and create cross-border business opportunities within and beyond the BRICS economies. Each member country operates a national chapter that initiates collaborative projects, facilitates trade missions, and promotes knowledge exchange among women in business.
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