EU, Partners Launch Digital Innovation Hub for Women in Kano

The European Union and its partners have unveiled a new digital innovation hub for women in Kano, reinforcing their commitment to reviving the state’s once-thriving textile industry.

In a statement issued in Abuja, the EU announced the opening of the Women Venture Studio Digital Innovation Hub, a platform aimed at empowering women-led enterprises and expanding their participation in Nigeria’s digital economy.

Seen as a major step toward boosting economic inclusion in northern Nigeria, the hub will offer women entrepreneurs digital skills training, market access and strong business networks to help them compete in an increasingly technology-driven global market.

With an emphasis on digital literacy, sustainable business models and circular fashion, the initiative blends technology and creativity to build a competitive female workforce prepared for future economic demands.

Speaking at the launch, Inga Stefanowicz, Head of Green and Digital Economy at the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, said the hub reflects the power of collaboration.

“The European Union is proud to support this initiative, but it is local partners like GIZ who are truly bringing this vision to life,” she said. “We are here to enable, but it is the innovators, entrepreneurs and communities who will sustain this work.”

She praised Kano’s cultural influence and its emerging potential in digital innovation. “The Women Venture Studio shows how we can merge local heritage with technology to foster growth and empower women,” she added.

Lead Partner of the Women Venture Studio, Mariam Lawan Gwadabe, described the launch as the result of years of effort and partnership.

“Nothing worthwhile comes easily,” she said. “This hub is a testament to resilience and the belief that women in northern Nigeria can drive economic transformation.” She noted that the project draws inspiration from Kano’s textile legacy. “Kano was once the ‘Manchester of textiles’ in West Africa. We aim to revive that legacy using digital tools and circular-economy principles to create sustainable opportunities for women.”

Thuweba Diwali, Country Lead at the Digital Transformation Centre Nigeria represented by Daniel Ritter said the hub marks a strategic investment in inclusive economic development, applauding partners for “never stopping, driving and pushing to reach this moment.”

Kano State Deputy Governor Aminu Gwarzo welcomed the initiative and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expanding opportunities for women.

“Empowering women is not just a policy it is a catalyst for Kano State’s digital future,” he said, noting that the state is prioritising women’s skills development across all 44 LGAs. Their “ideas, resilience and leadership,” he added, will shape a more inclusive and technologically advanced Kano.

The Women Venture Studio supports the EU’s broader goals for digital transformation and private-sector growth in Nigeria, with a long-term objective of demonstrating how investment in women-led innovation can drive sustainable economic development.

Kano’s textile industry, once famed across West Africa for its indigo-dyed fabrics and intricate embroidery, flourished from the 15th century and earned the city the title “Manchester of Africa.” However, decades of decline driven by cheap imports, limited technology and low investment have weakened the sector.

Current initiatives such as the EU-backed Women Venture Studio and the Kano Textile Hub aim to revive this heritage by blending traditional craftsmanship with digital innovation, circular fashion and targeted skills training for women entrepreneurs.