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Women’s Empowerment Programme in Nigeria
Her Potential. Her Power. Her Future.
Programme focus
Women’s economic empowerment and holistic advancement
Two pathways
BUILDHER Enterprise and BUILDHER 360
Who it serves
Adult women, including rural and underserved communities
Our approach
Community-based, partnership-led and outcome-focused
01
When women have the opportunity to develop their capabilities, access productive resources and participate fully in society, the benefits extend beyond individual achievement. Families become more resilient, enterprises grow and communities gain new possibilities for progress.
BUILDHER is the flagship women’s advancement programme of ChangePoint Advancement Initiative for Development (C-PAID), created to expand economic opportunities, strengthen women’s capabilities and address the barriers that prevent women from reaching their full potential.
Through entrepreneurship, skills development, financial inclusion, leadership, education and integrated support, BUILDHER seeks to equip women with the knowledge, resources, networks and confidence to make meaningful progress in their lives.
Our approach goes beyond short-term assistance. We aim to support women in developing the capabilities, connections and opportunities they need to achieve lasting economic and social advancement.
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Across Nigeria, women contribute enormously to families, local economies, agriculture, commerce and community development. They establish businesses, manage households, create employment, support education and help sustain local markets.
Yet, for many women, their contributions do not translate into financial security, enterprise growth or equal access to opportunities.
Limited access to appropriate finance, productive assets, business development services, markets and technology can restrict women’s economic advancement. These barriers are often compounded by unpaid care responsibilities, gaps in education and skills, social expectations and limited representation in decision-making.
The challenges are particularly significant for women in rural and underserved communities, where access to training, institutional support and economic infrastructure may be limited.
52.2%
Women aged 15+ with a financial or mobile money account in 2024
74.3%
Men aged 15+ with a financial or mobile money account in 2024
According to the World Bank’s Global Findex data, Nigeria has a 22.1 percentage-point gender gap in account ownership. This illustrates one of the structural barriers to women’s financial participation that initiatives such as BUILDHER seek to address.
BUILDHER recognises that women’s empowerment requires more than a single intervention. Providing business training without access to markets may produce limited results. Expanding access to finance without adequate financial knowledge may increase vulnerability. Building economic capacity without addressing wider barriers to women’s participation may leave important challenges unresolved.
We therefore seek to support women through practical, interconnected and locally relevant interventions that address immediate needs while building foundations for long-term progress.
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Our Vision
We envision a society in which women have the capabilities, resources, confidence and opportunities to achieve economic independence, exercise meaningful agency and participate fully in the development of their communities.
Our Mission
To advance women’s economic and social empowerment through inclusive skills development, entrepreneurship support, financial capability, leadership development and integrated programmes that strengthen livelihoods, wellbeing and long-term resilience.
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Women’s circumstances, aspirations and development needs are diverse. Some women require practical business skills and access to income-generating opportunities. Others face interconnected barriers involving education, health, financial security, leadership or wider social participation.
BUILDHER responds through two complementary programme pathways, each with a distinct focus and delivery approach.
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Skills for Today. Enterprises for Tomorrow.
Women’s Economic Empowerment and Sustainable Livelihoods
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Supporting the Whole Woman. Expanding Every Possibility.
Integrated Women’s Advancement, Wellbeing and Leadership
Pathway 01
Skills for Today. Enterprises for Tomorrow.
BUILDHER Enterprise is designed to strengthen women’s economic participation by equipping them with the practical capabilities, resources and support systems needed to establish, sustain and grow viable enterprises.
The pathway supports women who want to start a business, improve an existing livelihood, develop employable skills or transition from informal economic activities into more structured and sustainable opportunities.
Recognising that training alone may not lead to economic progress, BUILDHER Enterprise integrates enterprise development with financial education, mentorship, access to appropriate resources and stronger connections to markets.
Its interventions will be adapted to local economic realities, including the opportunities available in rural communities, emerging industries and existing commercial value chains.
Who BUILDHER Enterprise serves
The pathway is intended for aspiring women entrepreneurs, women-owned micro and small businesses, informal traders, rural women, unemployed or underemployed women and others seeking greater economic independence.
The change we seek
Women with improved enterprise capabilities, stronger financial knowledge, better access to economic opportunities and increased capacity to sustain their livelihoods.
1.1
Providing practical entrepreneurship education, business planning, pricing, financial record keeping, customer management, business formalisation awareness and enterprise growth support.
1.2
Supporting women to acquire market-relevant technical and vocational skills, with training opportunities informed by local demand and viable income-generating activities.
1.3
Strengthening financial literacy, savings practices, financial planning and awareness of appropriate financial products while connecting women to responsible financial service providers.
1.4
Supporting rural women through agricultural value addition, processing, cooperative development, market linkages and climate-conscious livelihood opportunities.
1.5
Connecting participants with experienced entrepreneurs, business professionals, potential buyers, commercial networks and opportunities for continued enterprise development.
1.6
Where funding permits, selected participants may receive structured post-training assistance, business development services or appropriate productive resources, subject to transparent eligibility and assessment criteria.
Pathway 02
Supporting the Whole Woman. Expanding Every Possibility.
Women’s empowerment is multidimensional. Economic opportunities are essential, but lasting advancement may also depend on access to education, health information, supportive relationships, legal awareness and opportunities to participate in decisions affecting everyday life.
BUILDHER 360 is the integrated advancement pathway of the BUILDHER initiative. It is designed to address the wider barriers affecting women’s ability to pursue opportunities, exercise their rights, strengthen their resilience and participate meaningfully in society.
By bringing together complementary interventions and appropriate service partnerships, BUILDHER 360 seeks to create a more enabling environment for women to learn, develop, lead and thrive.
Who BUILDHER 360 serves
Women seeking broader personal, social and economic advancement, including women in underserved communities, those facing significant barriers to participation and women who would benefit from integrated development support.
The change we seek
Women with improved access to knowledge and support, stronger confidence, greater participation in decision-making and increased capacity to pursue opportunities that improve their lives.
2.1
Supporting learning opportunities, continuing education, foundational skills, personal development and access to knowledge that improves women’s ability to make informed choices.
2.2
Promoting health literacy, preventive awareness, emotional wellbeing and access to appropriate health-related information and referral services through qualified partners.
2.3
Strengthening awareness of women’s rights, personal safety and available support services, with appropriate safeguarding and specialist referral arrangements.
2.4
Promoting financial capability, livelihood awareness and pathways into skills training, employment or entrepreneurship programmes.
2.5
Equipping women with communication, leadership, decision-making, advocacy and community participation skills that strengthen their ability to influence issues affecting their lives.
2.6
Encouraging peer support, community networks, mentorship and locally driven initiatives that help women navigate challenges and build greater resilience.
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BUILDHER’s interventions are designed to convert programme objectives into practical activities that can be implemented, adapted and evaluated in different communities.
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A structured learning platform offering practical business education, entrepreneurial skills, financial capability and enterprise development support. Training may be delivered through in-person sessions, community-based workshops, practical demonstrations and blended learning opportunities.
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Community-based interventions designed to improve access to skills, productive opportunities and market-relevant training for rural women. Delivery may involve local facilitators, existing community infrastructure, cooperative organisations and sector-specific partners.
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A post-training support mechanism connecting eligible participants with mentorship, business advisory assistance, market access and, where resources permit, appropriately structured enterprise support.
04
Leadership and personal development activities intended to strengthen women’s confidence, communication, decision-making, negotiation and participation in community and economic life.
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Locally delivered education, awareness, mentoring and referral activities addressing women’s wellbeing, financial capability, rights awareness and broader development needs.
These interventions may be implemented independently or combined within funded projects, depending on identified needs, available resources and partnership arrangements.
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Programme eligibility, age requirements, selection criteria and implementation locations will be specified for each intervention.
We recognise that women’s circumstances differ. Our intention is to adopt fair, transparent and context-sensitive selection processes while ensuring that programme activities are accessible and responsive to beneficiaries’ needs.
Depending on programme objectives and funding arrangements, priority groups may include:
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BUILDHER is guided by the understanding that lasting empowerment requires a combination of capabilities, opportunities and supportive systems.
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We begin by identifying the economic, social and institutional challenges affecting women in target communities. Community consultations, needs assessments and stakeholder engagement help inform appropriate programme design.
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We develop practical interventions that strengthen skills, knowledge, financial capability, confidence and personal agency. Learning activities are intended to be accessible, relevant and applicable to real-life circumstances.
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We seek to strengthen access to mentors, service providers, business networks, markets, productive resources and other opportunities that support participants beyond initial training.
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Where appropriate, participants may benefit from mentoring, peer networks, follow-up support and referrals that help them apply new knowledge and respond to emerging challenges.
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We aim to incorporate baseline assessments, participant feedback, outcome monitoring and periodic evaluation into programme delivery. Findings will inform improvements and help partners understand the results of supported interventions.
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BUILDHER seeks to contribute to lasting improvements in women’s capabilities, opportunities and participation.
Women develop the skills and connections necessary to establish, manage and strengthen viable businesses and livelihood activities.
Participants become better equipped to manage financial resources, make informed financial decisions and engage with appropriate financial services.
Women gain improved access to income-generating opportunities, commercial networks, productive skills and pathways to economic independence.
Women develop greater confidence, decision-making capabilities and opportunities to influence matters affecting their lives and communities.
Women strengthen their knowledge of available support systems and develop capabilities that help them respond to personal, economic and community challenges.
The programme seeks to contribute to environments where women’s participation, contributions and leadership are recognised and supported.
Our commitment is to develop interventions with measurable objectives and to report outcomes responsibly, distinguishing activities delivered from changes that can be credibly attributed to programme support.
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Development should create opportunities that remain valuable beyond the duration of a funded project.
For BUILDHER, sustainability begins with practical skills, realistic enterprise opportunities and meaningful connections to local institutions, markets and support networks.
We recognise that sustainability cannot be assumed. It must be designed into programmes, monitored and supported through realistic partnerships and resource planning.
Our sustainability approach includes:
Local ownership
Working with community stakeholders and local organisations to ensure interventions reflect genuine priorities.
Skills retention and practical application
Supporting beneficiaries to apply knowledge in real economic and social settings.
Market connections
Encouraging stronger links between women entrepreneurs, buyers, suppliers and financial service providers.
Peer networks and mentorship
Facilitating relationships that can support continued learning and collaboration.
Institutional partnerships
Working with organisations capable of supporting service delivery, technical expertise and long-term opportunities.
Continuous learning
Using programme evidence and beneficiary feedback to refine interventions and identify models suitable for replication.
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Across Nigeria, women have ideas, talents, experience and ambitions that deserve meaningful opportunities to flourish.
With the right partnerships, BUILDHER can support women to acquire practical skills, strengthen enterprises, navigate barriers and participate more fully in economic and community life.
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Support defined interventions, community-based projects, training cohorts, enterprise development activities or multi-year programme implementation.
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Contribute specialist knowledge in entrepreneurship, financial inclusion, livelihoods, leadership, health awareness, monitoring and evaluation or programme implementation.
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Support women entrepreneurs through business mentoring, procurement opportunities, distribution networks, supplier development and commercial connections.
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Collaborate on financial education, savings capability, appropriate financial products and responsible access to financial services.
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Support community engagement, beneficiary mobilisation, local delivery, training facilities and contextual understanding.
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Collaborate on needs assessments, programme design, outcome measurement, learning and evidence-based programme improvement.
BUILDHER offers a structured platform for partners seeking to contribute to women’s economic empowerment, inclusive development and sustainable livelihoods in Nigeria.
Its two complementary pathways provide flexibility for thematic funding, while its emphasis on community engagement, measurable outcomes and practical support creates opportunities for accountable and context-responsive interventions.
Partnership arrangements will be developed around clearly defined objectives, appropriate governance, mutual responsibilities, transparent resource management and agreed reporting requirements.
Supporting BUILDHER means contributing to opportunities for women to develop capabilities, expand economic participation and build more secure futures.
Contributions may support training resources, practical learning opportunities, community outreach, mentorship, enterprise development activities and appropriate assistance for programme participants.
We welcome conversations with individuals, organisations and institutions interested in supporting specific programme components or broader implementation activities.
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Related Programmes
BUILDHER is C-PAID’s women’s advancement programme, focused on economic empowerment, entrepreneurship, financial inclusion, leadership, wellbeing and sustainable livelihoods. It is organised into two complementary pathways, BUILDHER Enterprise and BUILDHER 360.
BUILDHER Enterprise focuses primarily on economic empowerment through entrepreneurship, business skills, vocational development, financial capability and market access. BUILDHER 360 addresses wider aspects of women’s advancement, including education, health awareness, rights, leadership, social participation and resilience.
BUILDHER is intended for adult women seeking economic opportunities, skills development, enterprise support or broader personal advancement. Specific eligibility requirements depend on individual programme activities, implementation locations and available resources.
BUILDHER Enterprise may incorporate appropriately structured enterprise support when funding permits. However, grants, loans, equipment support or other financial assistance are not automatically available or guaranteed. Details of any funded support scheme, including eligibility and selection criteria, will be announced separately.
Rural inclusion forms an important part of BUILDHER’s proposed approach. Community-based livelihood and enterprise interventions may be developed for rural areas, subject to needs assessments, funding and local implementation partnerships.
Application procedures will be published when specific programme activities are open for registration. Interested women may contact C-PAID for information on announced opportunities and eligibility requirements.
Yes. The two pathways have distinct objectives and can form the basis of separate funding proposals, technical partnerships or collaborative projects. C-PAID welcomes discussions on programme-specific and integrated partnership opportunities.
BUILDHER addresses women’s economic and holistic advancement. WIDE is C-PAID’s specialist programme for women in digital entrepreneurship, while SHE THRIVES focuses on women’s health, wellbeing and resilience. The programmes have distinct mandates and may collaborate where their objectives and beneficiaries appropriately intersect.
Her Potential. Our Shared Commitment.
Every woman deserves the opportunity to develop her abilities, pursue her ambitions and participate meaningfully in the decisions and opportunities that shape her future.
BUILDHER represents C-PAID’s commitment to supporting that possibility through purposeful programmes, practical interventions and meaningful partnerships.
Together, we can create opportunities that strengthen women’s capabilities, support economic independence and contribute to more inclusive and resilient communities.
