Browsing: Women-owned SMEs in Nigeria

AFAWA finance
  • The AfDB and the African Guarantee Fund have unveiled a fresh plan to enhance the financial inclusion of women in Nigeria’s economy.
  • The duo have opened the AFAWA Finance Series Nigeria, part of the AfDB’s Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA) initiative.
  • AFAWA Finance Series Nigeria will explore ways of enhancing the regulatory frameworks that can boost access to finance for women entrepreneurs.

Africa has the highest number of female entrepreneurs across the globe. However, the biggest obstacle they encounter is limited access to finance. Although access to financing poses a challenge to all small and medium enterprises, women-owned businesses are notably at a disadvantage.

It is estimated that the financial gap facing women entrepreneurs may reach up to $50 billion. This can be attributed to several factors, including deep-rooted social and cultural norms. These norms have historically restricted women’s ownership rights of assets that could serve as