We are pleased to announce the formal conclusion of the Nigeria for Women Project (NFWP), implemented from 2018 to 2024, and the official commencement of its successor, the Nigeria for Women Program Scale-Up (NFWP-SU).
Reflecting on Our Journey: NFWP Achievements
The Nigeria for Women Project was a five-year initiative funded with $100 million from the International Development Association (IDA) and implemented across six states: Abia, Akwa Ibom, Kebbi, Niger, Ogun and Taraba. The project was designed to improve the livelihoods of women in targeted areas by addressing systemic barriers to their economic empowerment.
NFWP tested and validated the Women Affinity Group (WAG) model as a sustainable platform for enhancing women’s social and economic agency. Through this model:
- About 460,000 women were supported through the formation and strengthening of over 22,000 WAGs.
- WAGs collectively saved over NGN 4.4 billion (approx. USD 7.8 million), with most of this amount actively revolving as loans.
- The project disbursed individual grants to about 320 women to improve their livelihoods ranging from NGN 30,000 to NGN 60,000 (USD 68 to 135), totaling over N19, 637 499,005 (USD 20 million). In Akwa Ibom state, the grants were given en bloc to the WAGs to boost their purse so they can utilize as revolving funds and have more women benefit where they pay back loans for others to access.
- 302 Livelihood Collectives (LCs) which are agricultural value chain based enterprises were established, made up of 33,965 WAG members, each collective receiving up to USD 50,000 in funding based on approved business plans.
- A robust Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) strategy was rolled out, enrolling about 500 project champions (including beneficiaries’ spouses and community leaders) to help shift social norms around women’s roles and empowerment.
The impact has been transformative, women across the participating states are now making independent financial decisions, building savings cultures, and contributing actively to household and community development.
Looking Ahead: The NFWP Scale-Up
Launched in June 2024, the Nigeria for Women Program Scale-Up (NFWP-SU) builds on the tested approaches and lessons of the pilot phase. It is designed to expand the reach and deepen the impact of women’s empowerment interventions across more states in Nigeria.
Program Development Objective
The Project’s Development Objective (PDO) is to institutionalize Women’s Affinity Groups and other platforms for women’s economic empowerment and to enhance the economic opportunities of unbanked women.
OUR CORE STRATEGY
The program focuses on building vibrant, bankable, women-led community institutions through the creation and federation of WAGs. It facilitates access to financial services, improved livelihoods, and select public services using a people-centered, learning-oriented approach.
Program Components
- Community Institution Building; Establishing WAGs and federating them at village and LGA levels to enhance collective bargaining power and resource access.
- Livelihood Support; Providing Community Investment Funds (CIFs) and LC grants to scale income-generating activities.
- Project Management and Learning; Ensuring effective implementation, adaptive learning, and robust monitoring and evaluation.
Target Beneficiaries
The program directly targets poor and vulnerable women aged 18 and above, particularly those unbanked and involved in informal, small-scale livelihoods. Special attention is given to displaced women, women with disabilities, and others underserved by public or private services. Indirect beneficiaries include household members, men, children, and communities benefiting from social norm shifts, community sensitization, and improved service access.
Participating States
While about 28 states have expressed interest, 10 states have met the onboarding requirements and completed orientation. These are: Bayelsa, Borno, Delta, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Katsina, Kogi, Nasarawa, Yobe, Borno.
“Together, we are building a future where women across Nigeria can thrive economically, influence decision-making, and lead positive change in their communities”.
