LAGOS, Nigeria(VOICE OF NAIJA)- In a move aimed at boosting female participation in Nigeria’s financial ecosystem, the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has announced a collaboration with financial institutions to tackle the challenges women entrepreneurs face when seeking funding.
Speaking in Abuja, ACCI President Emeka Obegolu, said the initiative will take centre stage at a high-level roundtable focused on mobilizing non-interest funding for women-owned businesses.
The event, scheduled for May 8, 2026, is being organized through the chamber’s Banking, Insurance and Finance Trade Group alongside its Women in Business Trade Group.
Discussions will address major obstacles such as high interest rates, strict collateral demands, and limited credit histories, issues that continue to restrict many women from scaling their ventures.
“The ACCI, through its Banking, Insurance and Finance Trade Group in collaboration with the Women in Business Trade Group, will host the programme on May 8, 2026 to explore non-interest financing,” Obegolu said.
He stressed that supporting women in business remains central to the chamber’s long-term vision for inclusive growth.
“At ACCI, we have consistently prioritized initiatives that promote women’s inclusion in business and economic development,” he added.
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Furthermore, he highlighted the economic value women bring, adding, “We recognize that women-owned enterprises are not only vital contributors to job creation and innovation, but also key drivers of sustainable growth.”
Notably, the upcoming roundtable is part of a broader strategy to close the gender financing gap by funding models designed to remove long-standing barriers.
It is also expected to deliver practical solutions by promoting non-interest funding options that reduce reliance on expensive loans and rigid lending conditions.
In Obegolu words, “By promoting non-interest financing models, we are creating practical pathways for women to access funding without the constraints of high interest rates and rigid collateral requirements. The ACCI remains committed to building platforms that translate dialogue into real impact.”
Continuing, he added, “Our goal is not just to convene conversations but to catalyze actionable outcomes, strengthening partnerships, influencing policy and ensuring that women entrepreneurs are equipped with resources and networks to scale their businesses.”
Adding an expert perspective, Iliyasu Gashinbaki of the Chartered Institute of Forensics and Certified Fraud Investigators of Nigeria described non-interest finance as a practical alternative for entrepreneurs facing funding challenges.
He noted that the roundtable would deepen collaboration across sectors while developing sustainable solutions.
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From a gender inclusion standpoint, Chioma Njoku, who chairs the Women in Business Trade Group, said the initiative is designed to directly address women’s realities in business.
She explained that it will help build trust, raise awareness, and connect women to funding opportunities through stronger networks.
Njoku also emphasized the need for deliberate support systems, noting that women-led businesses play a key role in strengthening communities and driving economic resilience.
Meanwhile, ACCI Director-General Agabaidu Jideani, expressed confidence that the roundtable will boost enterprise development and policy advocacy.
He added that it would expand access to funding, deepen partnerships, and accelerate growth for women-owned businesses across the country.
The initiative is expected to draw participation from major public institutions, including the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Bank of Industry, reinforcing a coordinated push toward a more inclusive financial system.
(NAN)
