The Blue Sapphire Hub on Tuesday unveiled the Women Venture Studio Digital Innovation Hub (WVSDIH), a new initiative aimed at supporting women entrepreneurs in the fashion and creative sectors across northwestern Nigeria.
The project is being implemented in partnership with the Association of Northern Women Entrepreneurs (ANWE) and Northwest University Kano, and is sponsored by the European Union (EU) and GIZ through the Digital Transformation Center.
Maryam Lawan Gwadabe, founder and CEO of Blue Sapphire Hub, said the initiative was created to provide women with a safe and enabling environment to grow their businesses. The program will operate in Kano, Katsina, and Sokoto states, promoting economic empowerment and self-reliance among women.
“We named it Women Venture Studio to ensure women feel comfortable in a safe space. Our mentors are successful women entrepreneurs who listen, guide, and support participants,” Gwadabe said.
The hub offers both physical and virtual spaces to ensure inclusivity for women who face cultural restrictions. Participants will undergo digital maturity assessments and circular economy evaluations to tailor training, market access, and skills development to each enterprise.
The pilot phase will involve 150 women, with 50 participants each from Kano, Sokoto, and Katsina states.
Hafsat Sahabi Dange, president of ANWE, said the initiative focuses on creative businesses such as fashion, crafts, and handwork, aiming to digitally transform these enterprises to compete nationally and internationally.
Inga Stefanovic, Head of the Green and Digital Economy Team at the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, said the EU is providing over €700 million in grants for projects across Nigeria.
She highlighted the EU’s partnerships in areas including digital transition, economic development, democracy, peace and security, health, education, renewable energy, and agriculture.
