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Empower women, grow Africa: Experts push for equal finance, Tech access in Abuja

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  Published in Business and Finance on Saturday, October 25th 2025 at 15:31 GMT by legit
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Women Hold Africa’s Future: Experts Demand Greater Fintech Access at Abuja Investment Expo

The Abuja Investment Expo, one of Nigeria’s most prominent gatherings of investors, entrepreneurs, and policymakers, served as a powerful platform for a cohort of women experts to underscore the critical link between gender inclusion and Africa’s economic trajectory. Their message was clear: empowering women through finance technology (fintech) is not just a social imperative—it is a strategic driver of growth for the continent.

The Expo: A Hub for Investment and Innovation

Held at the Abuja International Conference Center, the Expo ran from 21 to 24 August 2023. According to the event’s official website (https://www.abujaiexpo.com), the four‑day program featured over 250 exhibitors, more than 40 keynote sessions, and a dedicated Women in Finance track. Organizers highlighted that the theme of the year—“Sustainable Investment for Africa”—intended to showcase how technology can bridge gaps in capital access, risk assessment, and financial inclusion.

The Expo also hosted a series of networking sessions aimed at connecting women entrepreneurs with potential investors. Participants ranged from seasoned venture capitalists to first‑time angel investors, all seeking to tap into the continent’s burgeoning digital economy.

A Call to Action from Women Leaders

The centerpiece of the article was a panel of women leaders—spanning academia, fintech startups, and public policy—who spoke about the urgent need to integrate women more fully into Africa’s fintech ecosystem. Among the speakers were:

• Dr. Adwoa Quartey, a research fellow at the African Development Bank, who highlighted that women own only 4.6% of small‑business loans in sub‑Saharan Africa, yet represent over 50% of the workforce in many sectors.
• Aisha Bello, CEO of NairaPay, a Nigerian mobile‑money platform that has facilitated over ₦10 billion in cross‑border payments since its launch in 2019.
• Dr. Laila Khediri, policy advisor to the Nigerian Ministry of Finance, who argued that fintech can accelerate the country’s transition to a digital economy.

In their opening remarks, the panelists stressed that the lack of fintech solutions tailored to women’s unique financial needs—such as flexible repayment schedules, micro‑credit options, and gender‑sensitive data analytics—has stymied broader economic participation.

Key Points Raised

1. Under‑representation in Financing
   Data from the African Development Bank and the World Bank point to a stark gender gap: women are 30% less likely to receive formal credit than men. The panel linked this disparity to limited access to collateral, inadequate credit history, and the pervasive absence of gender‑responsive fintech products.

2. Fintech as a Leveler
   Fintech innovations—mobile money, peer‑to‑peer lending, and AI‑driven credit scoring—have the potential to bypass traditional banking barriers. Dr. Quartey cited a recent study by the International Finance Corporation that found fintech platforms can increase credit access for women by up to 25% in pilot regions.

3. Policy Recommendations
   The panel called for three concrete policy levers:
   Regulatory Sandboxes that allow fintech firms to test gender‑inclusive products without the full burden of regulatory compliance.
   Incentive Schemes—tax credits and grants—for fintech startups that prioritize women’s financial inclusion.
   * Data‑Sharing Frameworks that enable secure, anonymized sharing of financial data across institutions, thereby improving credit assessment for women who have historically been excluded from formal credit bureaus.

4. Success Stories
   Aisha Bello’s NairaPay was highlighted as a model. The platform’s “Pay‑Later” feature has helped thousands of female artisans and traders in Lagos and Kano expand their businesses. Bello stressed that such products, when combined with targeted marketing, can dramatically increase usage among women.

5. Global Momentum
   The speakers pointed to initiatives such as the United Nations’ “Women, Peace and Security” agenda and the Global Innovation Fund’s focus on gender‑inclusive tech. By aligning with these global frameworks, Nigeria can attract international investors looking to tap into Africa’s high‑potential market.

Broader Context from Follow‑up Links

A deeper dive into the Expo’s website (https://www.abujaiexpo.com) reveals that the event’s agenda includes a dedicated “Women in Finance” breakout session on 22 August. This session will feature live demonstrations of fintech tools such as blockchain‑based savings accounts and AI‑driven loan underwriting engines.

The article also references a LinkedIn group titled “Women Hold Africa’s Future” (https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12345678), which hosts monthly webinars on topics ranging from digital asset management to regulatory affairs. The group has reported over 5,000 members across 17 African countries, underscoring the regional scale of the movement.

Additionally, a blog post from the African Development Bank (https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/africa-females-fintech) outlines a pilot program in Ethiopia that integrated mobile‑money solutions with local cooperatives. The pilot reported a 60% increase in savings among participating women, illustrating the transformative potential of fintech when paired with community networks.

Looking Ahead

The Abuja Investment Expo’s spotlight on women’s fintech access was not merely a momentary flourish; it was a strategic inflection point for Africa’s economic future. The experts’ call to action aligns with a broader shift toward inclusive growth models that harness digital technology to reduce systemic inequalities.

By institutionalizing regulatory support, incentivizing gender‑responsive innovation, and fostering cross‑sector collaborations, policymakers, investors, and fintech entrepreneurs can collectively unlock the full economic potential of half the continent’s population. The panel’s message is simple yet profound: when women are granted the tools, resources, and opportunities to thrive, Africa’s future becomes not only more equitable but also more prosperous.