ImpactHER, a not-for-profit organisation, yesterday disclosed that as part of its drive to bridge the gender business financing gap in Africa, it has so far trained over 56,394 women business owners.
Observing that women are faced with hurdles in trying to access financial products and services that could improve their well-being and economic status, the group said women must be encouraged to attract investments and have access to the markets.
The group spoke in a statement after the end of its training programme in Kebbi state.
The training held in partnership with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council was to deepen financial inclusion for Small Business Women in Kebbi State with the theme: “Breaking Stereotypes: Growing Your Small Business as a Northern Female Entrepreneur.”
Founder of ImpactHER, Efe Ukala, said, “Statistically, the most common reason for business ownership among women in northern Nigeria is need, the need to provide for themselves and their children. So it is necessary to provide them with the tools and resources that they need to grow.
“By doing so, we are not only ensuring business growth, we are also, indirectly, equipping them with the financial security that they need to support themselves, their children and contribute to their households and communities.
“At the end of the day, the whole community benefits. Also, most investor funds are directed towards the South. We want to ensure that we also help women in the North be bankable so that they can also attract institutional funding.
“This is why ImpactHER hosted a program in Kebbi State. We want to ensure that no woman, regardless of ethnicity and culture is left behind.”
Permanent Secretary Ministry of Women Affairs Kebbi, Aisha Muhammad Maikurata, said, “Training women on entrepreneurship and giving them access to financial support will no doubt play a vital role in boosting the nation’s economy.”
At the programme, one of the beneficiaries Maryam Yakubu, CEO of Ma’Zaine Foods was awarded a grant of $1000 to invest in her business.
The winner commended the organisation for the gesture and advised other female led businesses to leverage on the support the organisers have given to the women in their network.
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