Trade, culture and skill —
built by Nigeria's women and youth.
A five-day national platform for 20,000+ participants to train, trade, and gain export readiness — hosted at the Exhibition Pavilion beside the ICC, Abuja.
20,000+
Expected participants
1,000+
Exhibitors
500
Skills training seats
₦20bn+
In deals across past editions
The rationale
Nigeria's non-oil economy runs on enterprises like these.
Women and youth make up over 60% of Nigeria's MSMEs, yet face structural barriers: limited access to finance, low export capacity, and inadequate technical skills — despite representing the country's greatest untapped potential in agriculture, creative industries, manufacturing, and digital services.
The Fair brings trade, culture, and skills development into one ecosystem — providing practical training, enterprise support, and market linkages that carry participants from local production toward export readiness and global competitiveness.
Our objectives
Six pillars,
one mission.
Capacity Building
Equip 500 women and youth with in-demand vocational, digital, and enterprise skills in export processes, packaging, branding, quality standards, and digital trade.
Market Access & Trade Promotion
Promote SME development and scalability across key sectors. Provide opportunities for SMEs to showcase products/services to local and international buyers.
Enterprise Scaling
Facilitate access to funding, partnerships, and business development support. Also enhance participants' export readiness and global competitiveness.
Cultural Promotion
Showcase Nigeria's diverse cultural heritage as an economic asset in the global market.
Youth & Women Empowerment
Increase participation of women and youth in high-value sectors and export markets. Empower about 36–50 businesses with seed funds and start-up grants.
Policy & Stakeholder Engagement
Foster dialogue between government, private sector, and development partners on SME growth and export policies.
Expected outcomes
Measurable results,
real lives changed.
- Enhanced visibility for over 1,000 youth and women-owned businesses.
- 500 participants trained and empowered.
- Business linkages with investors and partners.
- Skills and knowledge acquisition through empowerment sessions.
- Expanded trade and market opportunities.
- Strengthened collaboration between government, private sector, and youth/women groups.
- Increased number of SMEs ready for export markets.
- Enhanced visibility for locally made products.
- Recognition of impactful leaders and institutions.
What's inside
Eight components,
one ecosystem.
3-Day Free Skills Acquisition & Empowerment Training
500 participants trained across agro-processing, fashion, digital skills, export procedures, financial literacy, and more.
Trade, Entertainment and Cultural Exhibition
Free booths for 700+ youth and women-owned businesses, alongside cultural displays from across Nigeria's regions.
Business & Policy Dialogue Sessions
Panel discussions on export readiness, access to finance, and AfCFTA opportunities with government and financial institutions.
Business Empowerment
36–50 businesses receive seed funds and start-up grant capital, presented at the dinner and awards night.
Dinner and Awards Night
A high-profile closing event honouring individuals, government agencies, and state governments driving women and youth enterprise, celebrating innovation, leadership, and impact.
Investment Forum
Pitch sessions for start-ups in front of angel investors and venture capitalists.
Partnership Pavilion
Booths for NGOs, government agencies, and private-sector partners offering resources and training.
Trade & Networking Lounge
Facilitates business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-government (B2G) meetings, with access to local and international buyers.
Training tracks
Pick your skill,
not a generic seat.
Digital & technology
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Digital Marketing
- Graphic Design
- Photography, Video Editing & Content Creation
- +1 more
Entrepreneurship & business
- Financial Literacy
- Branding & Product Packaging
- Sales & Customer Relations
- Export Readiness
- +1 more
Vocational & creative
- Crafts — Bead Making & Leatherwork
- Makeup Artistry
- Event Planning & Decoration
- Catering & Baking
- +1 more
Agriculture & green economy
- Modern Farming Techniques
- Agribusiness Development
- Poultry Farming
- Fish Farming
- +1 more
Five days, three acts
The programme
Opening ceremony
Stakeholders, government agencies, corporate organizations, investors, and development partners gather as the Fair is declared open, followed by a tour of the exhibition, cultural, and skills booths.
Training & policy dialogue
Training runs for exhibitors and the general public, alongside panel sessions with government ministries, the Bank of Industry, NEXIM, NIPC, NEPC, and other development partners on policy and funding for MSMEs.
Closing, awards & investment forum
The closing ceremony, dinner, and awards night honour individuals, institutions, and governments driving women and youth enterprise — alongside pitch sessions with angel investors and venture capitalists.
“The 2026 National Fair is a strategic platform to catalyze inclusive economic growth by equipping women and youth with the tools, knowledge, and networks required to scale their enterprises and compete globally. By focusing on export readiness and the non-oil sector, the initiative aligns with Nigeria's long-term economic diversification goals.”
Your seat at the table
is free. Take it.
Registration takes under three minutes and includes your skill choice, exhibitor booth, or both.