The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) will host a stakeholder roundtable on mobilising non-interest funding for women-owned businesses as part of efforts to improve financial inclusion and expand access to capital for female entrepreneurs.
Event Details
The event, organised through ACCI’s Banking, Insurance and Finance Trade Group in collaboration with the Women in Business Trade Group, is scheduled for May 8, 2026, at the Prince Adetokunbo Kayode SAN, Abuja Trade and Convention Centre. It is expected to bring together policymakers, financial institutions, fintech firms, development partners and women entrepreneurs to explore alternative financing options for women-owned businesses.
Commitment to Women Entrepreneurs
Speaking ahead of the event, ACCI President and Chief Host, Chief Emeka Obegolu, SAN, PhD, said the Chamber remains committed to promoting women’s participation in economic development and supporting initiatives that create opportunities for business growth. He noted that women-owned enterprises continue to contribute significantly to job creation, innovation and national development, but many still face challenges in accessing conventional financing due to high interest rates, collateral demands and limited credit history.
According to him, the engagement will promote awareness of non-interest financing models such as Murabaha, Mudaraba, Ijara and Sukuk as practical alternatives capable of improving access to funding. “Our goal is not just to convene conversations, but to catalyse actionable outcomes, strengthen partnerships and ensure that women entrepreneurs are equipped with the resources and networks required to scale their businesses,” he said.
Voices of Support
The Vice President, Women Development and Gender Matters, Engr. Lawunmi Ismail, said improving access to non-interest financing would help remove barriers limiting the growth of women-owned businesses and create new opportunities for enterprise expansion, while the Vice President, Finance and Chairman of the Banking, Insurance and Finance Trade Group, Yerima Dr. Iliyasu Gashinbaki, described non-interest finance as an ethical and sustainable solution to financing challenges faced by many entrepreneurs.
Chairperson of the Women in Business Trade Group and Co-Convener, Mrs. Chioma Njoku, said the initiative would ensure that the concerns of women entrepreneurs remain central to discussions on financial inclusion and business development.
Expected Participants
The event is expected to attract representatives from the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the African Development Bank, the Bank of Industry and the Development Bank of Nigeria.
Director General of ACCI, Mr. Agabaidu Jideani, said the roundtable aligns with the Chamber’s commitment to enterprise development and policy advocacy aimed at creating an enabling business environment for women entrepreneurs across Nigeria.
