The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has issued an urgent clarification regarding widespread misinformation about the Women Exporters in Digital Economy (WEIDE) Fund, emphasising that the initiative is not backed by the European Union as erroneously claimed in viral social media posts.
In a public notice released yesterday, NEPC management stated that the grant programme is powered by the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the International Trade Centre (ITC), correcting false claims that have been circulating online.
“The grant is powered by the World Trade Organisation and the International Trade Centre and not by the European Union or any other organisation as erroneously stated online,” the notice read.
The European Union in Nigeria also issued a separate statement confirming, “The WEIDE fund is not funded by the EU!”
The confusion appears to stem from unauthorised statements made by social media influencers and individuals claiming to represent the Council. NEPC management stated “NO EXPORTER or Social Media influencer is authorised to speak or share information on behalf of the Council or our principal officers.”
The Council further clarified several key points about the WEIDE Fund:
– The correct acronym is WEIDE (Women Exporters in Digital Economy), not “W-I-D-E” as some have mistakenly called it
– The grant is not “free money” with no conditions
– To qualify, applicants must lead women-owned businesses registered in Nigeria that provide employment and meet specific criteria
“This clarification has become expedient following erroneous messages which have currently gone viral regarding the recently launched call for entries by the Council,” the statement explained.NEPC urged stakeholders, staff, media professionals, and the general public to rely only on its official communication channels for accurate information. The Council reminded the public that its official website is www.nepc.gov.ng (not www.nepc.org) and directed interested parties to follow its verified social media accounts for authentic updates.
The Women Exporters in Digital Economy Fund represents an important initiative to support women-led businesses in Nigeria’s export sector, but officials are concerned that misinformation could undermine the programme’s effectiveness and create confusion among potential applicants.
Neither NEPC nor the European Union provided details on the size of the grant fund or application deadlines in their clarification statements, directing interested parties to official channels for complete information.
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