Female entrepreneurs in Cross River State have received a fresh boost towards accessing global markets following the Africa Women in Business Expo 2026, organised by SHE Means Business Africa in partnership with the Cross River State Ministry of Commerce.
The expo, held in Calabar on August 15, 2026, in Calabar, brought together government officials, industry experts and women entrepreneurs for a training and empowerment workshop focused on economic inclusion, financial literacy, business development and international trade readiness.
SHE Means Business Africa is an initiative and media ecosystem dedicated to supporting, educating and elevating female entrepreneurs and business leaders across Africa through business intelligence, leadership resources and digital skills training.
Delivering the keynote address, the Commissioner for Commerce, Dr. (Mrs.) Abigail Duke Orok, urged participants to take their businesses seriously and leverage available government resources to strengthen and expand their enterprises.
Dr. Orok expressed appreciation to the Wife of the Governor, Her Excellency, Dr. (Mrs.) Eyoanwan-Itam Bassey Otu, for prioritising initiatives aimed at empowering women and improving their economic wellbeing.
The Commissioner announced that women with viable business ideas could apply for SME grants through the Ministry of Commerce, while disclosing the Ministry’s commitment to provide free professional business training for 50 female entrepreneurs to enhance their competitiveness.
“The Ministry of Commerce remains open to women with innovative ideas. We are fully committed to providing the structural and financial support necessary to help women-led businesses thrive,” she said.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Michael Odere, urged participants to align their businesses with available government programmes, assuring them that the administration of Governor Bassey Edet Otu was committed to ensuring that women’s voices were heard and reflected in economic policymaking.
As part of immediate support for the entrepreneurs, Odere offered free Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) business registration to several participants and stressed the importance of proper financial record-keeping for business sustainability.
He advised entrepreneurs to consistently track their revenues and expenses to accurately determine their profit and loss and make informed business decisions.
The expo featured interactive sessions led by prominent private-sector experts. The Chief Executive Officer of SHE Means Business Africa, Mrs. Mary Colette Kekong, facilitated a session on business fundamentals, strategy, resilience and scaling women-led enterprises.
The Chief Executive Officer of Global Trading and Investment Services, Mr. Nwachukwu C. Okafor, provided practical guidance on accessing bank financing and grants, preparing loan-ready business profiles and navigating financial institutions.
Similarly, the Chief Executive Officer of Mount Pure Natural Mineral Water, Mrs. Shirley Elrida Roland, outlined strategic pathways for helping local entrepreneurs gain international visibility and participate effectively in cross-border trade.
The programme concluded with an interactive panel session during which participants raised challenges affecting their businesses, including supply-chain barriers and access to capital. Industry experts and government officials responded to the concerns, offering practical advice and linkages to relevant ministry resources.
By Obaseoyi Bassey
