By Ada Nkong
The Minister of Budget and National Planning Senator Abubakar Bagudu has emphasized the importance of supporting women entrepreneurs in staying competitive, especially as they face challenges with energy costs.
The Minister who spoke at a roundtable on renewable energy organized by Heinrich Boell Stiftung Nigeria said it became necessary to enable the women to compete favorably in production.
According to him, “Women are struggling with high costs, and if we don’t find affordable solutions for them, they may not be able to compete effectively in production. While energy support is crucial, we must ensure it is cost-effective.”
He highlighted that women in urban areas might not benefit as much from some energy solutions as those in rural areas, where access to renewable energy sources could be more feasible.
“Modern energy sources, especially renewables, often come with high initial costs. We need to explore how to make these options affordable and accessible for women,” he explained.
He further suggested that renewable energy companies should consider providing energy services directly to women entrepreneurs, rather than just selling them energy tools. This could help them remain competitive while transitioning to cleaner, more reliable energy sources.
The Minister also acknowledged the support from development partners, particularly in renewable energy, and stressed the need for innovation and collaboration.
“Creativity and innovation from leaders are necessary to present our needs to development partners. We must work together with government and partners to ensure sustained progress.”
He urged women to stay organized and engaged in the democratic process. “Women vote for those in power, but often due to a lack of organization, their potential is limited. Women must form professional groups to influence policies and budgeting decisions.”
The Minister also touched on the government’s ongoing efforts to support women, citing policies and programs aimed at ensuring women’s prosperity. He noted that various initiatives, including women-centric programs in partnership with development organizations and the government, are designed to benefit women.
“We’ve also introduced a consumer credit system that can help women access renewable energy more affordably,” he added.
Reflecting on the broader energy transition, he said, “The shift from petroleum to cheaper alternatives like compressed natural gas (CNG) demonstrates the importance of exploring diverse energy sources. Nigeria is blessed with gas, which is a cheaper and more sustainable energy source than petroleum. By embracing renewable energy, we can help women in business, trade, and agriculture to thrive equitably, sustainably, and profitably.”
On her part Ms Habiba Ali CEO and founder Sosa Energy said they had organized a solution lab to interact with rural women, understand their challenges and know what interventions are best
“We aim for accelerated adoption of renewable energy resources for these businesses nationwide.
Regarding data, yes, we conducted research before the solutions lab. Finally, on engaging women in rural areas who may be skeptical about renewable energy, we are collaborating with notable women’s organizations. Although many rural women lack access to such organizations, we are working with groups like the Council for Women (COA) and SWAFUN, a farmers’ organization for women.
Meanwhile the project manager for the Sustainable Nigeria Project underscored for provision of alternative energy sources for women using business models tailored for their convenience.
‘Women bear the brunt of energy deficits, and this program aims to present tangible solutions and advocacy strategies. Some of the innovative finance models we’ve explored include the lease-to-own model, which allows women to acquire assets like solar dryers, irrigation systems, and storage solutions, paying for them over time through small, regular payments’.
NewsAnnexOnline 