At the 30th Nigeria Economic Summit held in Abuja, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Yemi Cardoso emphasised the institution’s commitment to enhancing financial inclusion for women, marking it a priority under his tenure.
He revealed key initiatives to bridge the gender gap in Nigeria’s finance sector to empower women economically.
Addressing an audience concerned with gender inclusivity, Cardoso recognised the vital role of women in Nigeria’s economy, stating, “Women provide a very, very big and significant portion of the workforce” and are pivotal across diverse economic sectors.
He praised women’s resilience, describing their impact on advancing economic activities in Nigeria and Africa.
Cardoso outlined recent CBN initiatives to support women entrepreneurs and announced a new financing code specifically for female business owners.
“A week or so ago, the Central Bank of Nigeria signed a code for women entrepreneurs financing,” he explained, adding that the plan, developed in collaboration with the Development Bank of Nigeria and the Bank of Industry, seeks to expand financial services access and economic opportunities for women in Nigeria.
In a message to the banking sector, Cardoso reaffirmed the CBN’s commitment to fostering internal change, stressing, “We are committed to ensuring that we encourage the banking industry… towards bridging the gender gap.”
He acknowledged the challenges, noting that “achieving meaningful transformation will take time and consistent effort.”
Governor Cardoso concluded by pledging dedicated support for women entrepreneurs, stating, “Under my watch, I will do what is necessary to ensure we can give the necessary support to women entrepreneurs,” signalling his commitment to advancing gender parity through strategic partnerships and initiatives.
