Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI)’s Post

😪 It would have been nice if all our wishful thinking and sincere moral sentiment were enough to move the needle on solving Africa's financial inclusion gender gap. Sadly, it won't. ⌛ What isn't measured doesn't get done. Period. Regulators that want more action than eloquent conference talk will need to articulate their goals with hard numbers. I'm glad to see the Bank of Zambia set out in its Strategic Plan for 2020-2023 to narrow the financial inclusion gender gap to 5%. 👀 We like this kind of action. So who's next? https://lnkd.in/dAavnjb6

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has unveiled the Women Equality in Finance Policy Framework (WEFP) for Non-Bank Microfinance Companies (NBMFCs), setting a… Read More: https://lnkd.in/dHDy9jMq

Ms. Amina Aziz talked about: Pakistan's financial inclusion landscape presents opportunities for growth, especially for women. We're working with ADB to address underserved populations through targeted training programs, female-specific products, and general savings solutions. Together, we aim to build a more inclusive and equitable financial ecosystem.  #AMC8 #Microfinance#AnnualMicrofinanceConference #Pakistanmicrofinancenetwork #FinancialInclusion #AMC8 #pmn #2024 #MicrofinanceFuture #FinanceNetworking

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has unveiled the Women Equality in Finance Policy Framework (WEFP) for Non-Bank Microfinance Companies (NBMFCs), setting a transformative agenda to enhance women’s financial inclusion and strengthen their role in the financial ecosystem. The policy framework mandates that in the next five years, 70%... Read More: https://lnkd.in/e-n2CqYY For more details visit raisedbynumbers.com #RBN #RaisedbyNumbers

Here’s a quick reminder that despite a lot of effort and progress, the global gender pay gap still remains a major threat, not just to women’s potential but the economic stability of entire nations. This disparity is even more pronounced in developing countries like Nigeria, where it hampers growth and equality. Spreading awareness on this issue and creating innovative strategies that address it is critical for us to have a fair and thriving global economy! #Finances #Budgeting #Investing #PersonalFinance #FinanceCoach #LifestyleWithToluwa #MoneySavvy #MoneySavvyBestie

Yesterday, Women Impacting Nigeria (WIN) founder Adesuwa (Tope) Imasekha had the privilege of participating in The World Bank’s discussion in Abuja on the Women, Business, and the Law 2024 report and the pioneering Subnational Pilot Study in Nigeria. The global report underscores a hard truth: women across the world face systemic legal and policy barriers to their economic empowerment. Laws and policies often limit their ability to start businesses, secure employment, and contribute fully to society. For instance, countries that achieve gender equality under the law see higher female labour force participation, greater representation in leadership, and stronger economic outcomes overall. This year’s pilot study in Nigeria explores how these dynamics play out across our federal system. While the global report focuses on Lagos, the subnational study dives deeper into the unique legal frameworks, policy environments, and lived realities of women across Nigerian states. Using a groundbreaking three-pillar framework, the study examines: 1️⃣ De jure laws (laws on the books); 2️⃣ Policy implementation; and 3️⃣ De facto outcomes (how laws impact women’s lives). At WIN, we align deeply with the goals of this study—to bridge gaps, empower women, and create a more inclusive economy. Discussions in Abuja highlighted critical issues such as: • The role of state governments in reforming laws to promote gender equality; • Gaps in property rights and labour laws that disproportionately affect women; • The importance of peer-to-peer learning to share best practices among states. Why does this matter? When women are empowered economically, they uplift families, communities, and nations. WIN remains committed to advocating for stronger protections, equal opportunities, and actionable change to ensure every Nigerian woman has the chance to thrive. Together, we can build a fairer, more inclusive Nigeria. #WomenImpactingNigeria #WINInAction #WomenBusinessAndTheLaw #GenderEquality #WomenEmpowerment #InclusiveEconomy #StopGenderDiscrimination #WorldBank #Nigeria

Countries like Mozambique, Jordan & Nigeria are already making strides on #GenderEquality through comprehensive The World Bank Group-supported programs. Learn how our new gender strategy will build on these successes for greater impact: http://wrld.bg/Ovcm50SioNu #AccelerateEquality

Empowering women, building stronger businesses! Since its inception, DBG has disbursed over GHS 806 million to over 334 women-led businesses. With plans to reach GHS 1 billion in funding to 1,000 women-led enterprises within five years, DBG is committed to bridging the gender financing gap and fostering the growth of women-led enterprises across key sectors of the economy. Together with our Partners, we are building a future where women entrepreneurs thrive, driving sustainable growth and economic empowerment across Ghana. Consolidated Bank Ghana The World Bank KfW European Investment Bank (EIB) #WomenInBusiness #EmpoweringWomen #TogetherWeGrow #DBGImpact #TogetherWeGrow #DBG

🌍✨ 70% of Africa's cross-border traders are women, yet they face violence, denying them #DecentWork. This Amnesty International report 📑 reveals the harsh reality. Let's stand with them ✊🏿💪🏿 & demand safe pathways for women in trade! 🚸 #16Days #EndGBV #WomenEmpowerment #GBV Read the report➡️: https://loom.ly/ewKM2oE

A Few days ago, I highlighted some contributing factors on the demand side for Women Financial Exclusion and there is more to it . The supply side and regulatory environment factors are huge limiting factors too. 📍 Supply side  1. Lack of Gender Responsive products: The finance product development process is not thorough enough to accommodate the diverse and specific needs of women as a gender For example,  most of the products available on the market are prohibitive in price in reference to women earning less than men so they are much more price sensitive. 2. Lack of awareness with FSP providers: The business development strategies of most financial service providers are not gender inclusive focused to specifically target women for customer acquisition, they are general acquisition plans that largely favor men as highly influenced by gender norms. 3. Lack of sex disaggregated data: There are quite many challenges in collecting sex disaggregated data like high cost of data collection, limitations of data systems and availability of data. This is a barrier to influencing policy and practice for gender inclusive finance. 📍 Regulatory & policy barriers 1. Progressive regulatory framework with limited implementation particularly the Uganda Land Act implementation on a fair access to land to both a girl & boy child. 2. Stringent loan requirements particularly the need for spousal consent that is prohibitive of women’s financial privacy. 3. High taxes preventing women's access to financial products. Increasing access of finance to women is directly correlated to women empowerment and national economy growth and this is why I am passionate to lend my voice and skills to this cause. #Financialinclusion #GenderInclusiveFinance #WomenEmpowerment