ACCI to Convene Stakeholders Roundtable on Non-Interest Financing for Women Entrepreneurs
Oru Leonard
The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), is set to host a high-level stakeholder roundtable aimed at expanding access to non-interest funding for women-owned businesses, as part of efforts to deepen financial inclusion and drive inclusive economic growth.
The event, scheduled for May 8, 2026, will take place at the Prince Adetokunbo Kayode SAN Abuja Trade and Convention Centre, bringing together policymakers, financial institutions, development partners, and entrepreneurs to explore alternative financing models tailored to the needs of women-led enterprises.
Organised by ACCI’s Banking, Insurance and Finance Trade Group in collaboration with its Women in Business Trade Group, the roundtable will focus on addressing long-standing barriers such as high interest rates, stringent collateral requirements, and limited credit access that continue to hinder women entrepreneurs.
President of ACCI, Emeka Obegolu, who will serve as Chief Host, said the initiative underscores the Chamber’s commitment to empowering women economically.
He noted that women-owned businesses play a critical role in job creation, innovation, and sustainable development, stressing that the roundtable is part of broader efforts to close the financing gap through practical and inclusive solutions.
According to him, promoting non-interest financing models—including ethical, asset-backed, and risk-sharing instruments such as Murabaha, Mudaraba, Ijara, and Sukuk—offers viable pathways for entrepreneurs to access funding without the burden of conventional interest-based systems.
Vice President, Women Development and Gender Matters, Lawunmi Ismail, who will co-host the event, highlighted the importance of targeted support for women entrepreneurs, noting that improving access to finance will enhance business growth, resilience, and community development.
Also speaking, Vice President, Finance and Chairman of the Banking, Insurance and Finance Trade Group, Iliyasu Gashinbaki, said the forum would provide a platform for stakeholders to deepen collaboration and develop sustainable financing solutions aligned with ethical principles.
Chairperson of the Women in Business Trade Group, Chioma Njoku, emphasised the need for inclusive representation, stating that the initiative seeks to ensure women’s voices remain central in shaping financial solutions that directly impact them.
The roundtable is expected to attract participation from key institutions, including the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Central Bank of Nigeria, Securities and Exchange Commission, African Development Bank, Bank of Industry, and Development Bank of Nigeria, among others.
Director General of ACCI, Agabaidu Jideani, described the engagement as a strategic intervention aligned with the Chamber’s mandate to promote enterprise development and policy advocacy. He added that the outcomes are expected to translate into tangible support mechanisms that will enhance access to finance and accelerate the growth of women-owned businesses across Nigeria.
The initiative is anticipated to strengthen partnerships, improve awareness of non-interest financial instruments, and unlock new opportunities for women entrepreneurs nationwide.
