By Vivian Emoni
Chief Emeka Obegolu, President of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), says non-interest financing can significantly improve women entrepreneurs’ access to business funding and expand economic opportunities across Nigeria.
Obegolu said this at a women-led businesses programme themed “Mobilising Non-Interest Funding for Women Businesses” on Friday in Abuja, bringing together financial institutions, regulators and development partners.
He said women entrepreneurs contributed significantly to job creation, innovation and community development, but many still faced barriers in accessing conventional financing due to high interest rates and strict collateral requirements.
“Women-owned MSMEs remain vital to Nigeria’s economic growth,” he said, adding that the programme was designed to connect women with banks, fintech firms and development partners for improved funding access.
Obegolu explained that participants would gain knowledge on non-interest financing principles and available opportunities, while also generating policy recommendations to strengthen women’s financial inclusion across sectors of the economy.
He described non-interest finance as an ethical and inclusive alternative for small businesses, noting that limited awareness and misconceptions had continued to hinder wider adoption of such financial products.
He urged financial institutions to design tailored products for women-owned enterprises, while calling on regulators and development partners to provide enabling frameworks, technical support and capacity-building programmes for sustainable impact.
Obegolu, represented by Prof. Adesoji Adesugba, reaffirmed ACCI’s commitment to promoting inclusive policies and expanding opportunities for women entrepreneurs through strategic partnerships and targeted economic empowerment initiatives nationwide.
The ACCI Director-General, Mr Agabaidu Jideani, said the chamber remained committed to strengthening policies and partnerships that supported businesses and created sustainable economic opportunities for entrepreneurs across Nigeria.
Jideani said the chamber established the Women in Business Trade Group to empower female entrepreneurs through mentorship, training, networking, market access support and capacity-building programmes tailored to their needs.
He said the programme would equip women entrepreneurs with practical knowledge on accessing non-interest financing to promote business growth, sustainability and greater participation in commerce and industry nationwide.
Chairperson of the Women in Business Trade Group, Mrs Chioma Njoku, said the initiative addressed challenges limiting women-led businesses from accessing affordable, ethical and inclusive financing through non-interest funding options.
Njoku said women entrepreneurs contributed significantly to economic growth but remained financially excluded due to structural, cultural and systemic barriers affecting access to credit and investment opportunities.
She urged participants to engage financial institutions, explore available funding options and position their businesses for growth through knowledge sharing, networking and strategic collaboration.
Chairman of ACCI Banking, Insurance and Finance Trade Group, Dr Iliyasu Gashinbaki, said the summit aimed to expose women entrepreneurs to non-interest financing opportunities and unlock funding for business expansion.
He said financial institutions would guide participants on practical steps for accessing funding, with some already providing application forms for interested business owners at the event.
Managing Partner of Metropolitan Law Firm, Mrs Ummahani Amin, said non-interest finance offered transparent funding models that reduced risks linked to unstable interest rates and limited collateral requirements.
Amin urged regulators and government to simplify access, strengthen support frameworks and expand funding opportunities for women-owned MSMEs to boost inclusive economic growth in Nigeria.(NAN)(www.nannewd.ng)
Edited by Abiemwense Moru
