Emmanual Acha
The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) says it has trained at least 50 non-oil exporters in the southeast on digital marketing.

Salamatu Audi of the Council’s Policy and Strategy Division said during the Zone’s e-commerce training in Enugu on Friday:

Audi said the training is to help exporters effectively use the council’s e-commerce platform.

She said the training was organized by NEPC in collaboration with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).

She said high volatility and a declining economy have made it expedient for exporters to boost their business through digital marketing.

According to Audi, digital marketing gives people the opportunity to access free online portals.

It also helps provide a platform for exporters to have a ‘domain name’ to sell their products.

“In the past, our exporters have not been able to put much effort into marketing their products due to distance and costs.

“To break down business barriers, you need to be tech savvy and have an online shop.”

Audi said that under the digital age, physical stores are no longer enough to participate in the global market.

“That is why we are working with NITDA to train SME operators,” she said.

She said the participants “are already reasonably building their capabilities in the global marketplace.”

She said she was given a free personal domain name where she would sell her products for a year.

Also, Arnold Jackson, the council’s southeast regional coordinator, said the training is to help participants showcase their products in the global market.

Jackson said e-commerce will revolutionize global trade and people won’t have to physically move before selling a product.

“We would like to open up our e-commerce platform to ensure that exporters in the zone can sell their products over the internet.

“In the current reality of the country, it is best to go digital, but certain parameters need to be set to be able to sell on that platform,” said Jackson.

And NEPC official Tony Olenloa said non-oil exports had become the only viable means of survival for the country.

Olenloa said that as part of its services, NEPC has helped exporters compete globally.

NITDA President Oguntade Adeseye said digital marketing has helped companies create value for their customers and build strong customer relationships. (South)

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