The Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, has reaffirmed the commitment of the FCT Administration to promoting women entrepreneurship as a catalyst for inclusive economic growth and private sector-led development in the nation’s capital.
Mahmoud made the pledge at the closing ceremony of the Women in Business and Impact Day of the Abuja Business and Investment Summit/Expo (ABIE) 2026, organised by the Abuja Investments Company Limited (AICL) at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja.
According to a statement issued on Friday by her Special Assistant on Media, Austine Elemue, the minister said women entrepreneurs play a vital role in job creation, innovation, family welfare and national development, stressing that greater access to finance, markets, technology, mentorship and leadership opportunities is essential to unlocking their full potential.
She urged participants at the summit to convert the ideas, networks and partnerships forged during the event into concrete investments capable of delivering sustainable economic benefits.
Mahmoud said the FCT Administration, under the leadership of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, would continue investing in critical infrastructure, improving the ease of doing business and implementing policies that encourage private sector participation.
She noted that the administration’s efforts align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly its focus on economic diversification, entrepreneurship, innovation, women’s empowerment and private sector-driven growth.
The minister commended the Abuja Investments Company Limited, development partners, exhibitors, sponsors, speakers and participants for the successful hosting of the summit, expressing confidence that the partnerships and investment opportunities generated would translate into measurable economic gains for Abuja and the country.
Earlier, the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of AICL, Ambassador Maureen Tamuno, said the first two days of ABIE 2026 showcased Abuja’s vast investment potential and facilitated strategic partnerships as well as landmark Memoranda of Understanding aimed at accelerating the sustainable development of the FCT and Nigeria.
Tamuno praised the keynote speaker, Nana Oye Bampoe-Addo, Deputy Chief of Staff (Administration) in the Office of the President of Ghana and former Minister of Gender, alongside Mahmoud, for their contributions to the success of the Women in Business and Impact Day.
She also thanked development partners, investors, exhibitors, sponsors, speakers and participants for supporting the summit, reaffirming AICL’s commitment to building an innovative, inclusive and globally competitive Abuja in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.