For many women in Nigeria, starting a business is a bold step towards economic empowerment. Yet, despite their ingenuity and resilience, countless women remain confined to the informal sector. The reasons are many, from lack of access to legal resources and the complexities of regulatory processes, to the prohibitive cost of business registration. These barriers not only limit growth but also prevent women from fully benefiting from the protections and opportunities that legal business status offers.
In response to this challenge, Lady Dynamique Network, in collaboration with Lumiere Advisory, launched a comprehensive support program, ‘The Start Smart Program’, a novel initiative designed to equip women-led businesses with the legal knowledge, tools, and sponsorship needed to transition from informal to formal enterprise.
At the heart of the program is a targeted intervention addressing one of the biggest blind spots in entrepreneurship support: building a legal structure.
The objectives of the Start Smart Program were clear and practical:
- Provide legal assistance through our legal partner, Lumiere Advisory, helping women build a solid legal framework for their businesses.
- Fully sponsor business registration, covering all costs for selected participants to ease financial strain.
- Create access to workshops and networks through Lady Dynamique Network, for enhanced growth and peer support.
The program saw applications from 24 female entrepreneurs, each with a unique business and the desire to grow. After a rigorous selection process, 4 women were selected for full sponsorship and intensive support.
Two major sessions were held in the course of the program:
Led by Nympha, the founder of Lady Dynamique Network, the first session which held on 2nd April 2025 was an onboarding and orientation session, and it provided a detailed overview of the program’s vision, goals, and expected outcomes.
Participants were introduced to:
- The core objectives of the Start Smart Program
- The available support, including full sponsorship for business registration for the four selected participants.
- The role of Lumiere Advisory as the legal partner.
- Expectations, timelines, and participation requirements.
Participants were encouraged to see legal registration not as an intimidating process, but as a crucial step towards growth, investment opportunities, and long-term sustainability. This session also created space for participants to share their business journeys and aspirations, setting the tone for a program that is not only instructional but also collaborative and empowering.
This was a structured roadmap to help participants understand the purpose of the program. At the end of the day, some of the participants confirmed that they had never registered their businesses because the process seemed confusing, unaffordable, or even unnecessary.
The second session was held on 9th April 2025, and focused on the legal underpinnings of running a business in Nigeria. Delivered by Queeneth Ebaye, a legal practitioner and the founder of Lumiere Advisory, the session offered participants expert insight into the registration and compliance processes required to operate a legitimate business.
Key subjects covered included:
- Understanding Business Structures
- Registration and Licensing Processes
- Regulatory bodies for diverse businesses
- Contract Law and Legal Documentation
- Taxes and Annual Returns
In her discussion on the legal processes involved in building and sustaining a business, Queeneth highlighted the broader advantages of formal business registration. She emphasized that legalizing a business provides necessary protection for the business name and interests, helping to safeguard ownership and intellectual property. It also enhances credibility, making the business more attractive to investors and partners. Furthermore, registered businesses are better positioned to access grants, loans, and other financial services. Legalization also reduces risks in business relationships by ensuring enforceable contracts and clear legal standing in disputes.
Throughout the session, participants were actively engaged in a Q&A, where they sought clarifications specific to their ventures. Queeneth Ebaye provided practical guidance and concluded with a powerful reminder:
Registering your business gives it life. It protects your ideas. And it opens doors you didn’t know you could walk through.
Following the two sessions, participants demonstrated a high level of engagement and initiative. Many began preparing the required documents for registration, submitted written reviews about their experiences, and expressed readiness to proceed with personalized legal consultation and the business registration proper.
Meet our Selected Participants on the Start Smart Program 2025
These women have reported an improved clarity in building businesses that are structured, credible, and compliant. As Ms. Msurshima noted,
“The program has been instrumental in helping me understand business objectives and licensing. I now feel more confident and ready to take my business seriously.”
Going forward on the Start Smart Program, Lady Dynamique Network intends to:
- Expand access to legal support for a broader group of women.
- Strengthen collaboration to drive results with organizations like Lumiere Advisory.
- Provide continuous mentorship and resources for sustained growth for women in business.
For more information on the program, please send an email to info@ladydynamique.org