High-Level Conference To Address Financing Gap for Women Entrepreneurs in Nigeria, Lagos

The African Guarantee Fund (AGF) and the Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA) will be holding a High-Level conference dubbed the AFAWA Finance Series on Tuesday, 17th October 2023 from 8:30 am at the Landmark Centre in Lagos, Nigeria.

The conference will bring together government representatives, key regulatory stakeholders, and chief executive officers of financial institutions to discuss solutions and policies to address the financing gap facing women entrepreneurs in Nigeria.

The Financing Gap for Women Entrepreneurs in Nigeria

According to the World Bank, the financing gap for women entrepreneurs in Nigeria is estimated to be around $42 billion. This gap is due to a number of factors, including limited access to collateral, gender stereotypes, and discriminatory practices.

The AFAWA Guarantee for Growth

The AFAWA Guarantee for Growth is a pan-African initiative of the African Development Bank (AfDB), G7 countries, the Netherlands, and Sweden. The program aims to bridge the USD 42 billion financing gap facing women in Africa through three key pillars: access to finance, technical assistance, and an enabling environment.

The AFAWA Finance Series

The AFAWA Finance Series is a series of high-level conferences that brings stakeholders together to discuss solutions and policies to address the financing gap facing African women entrepreneurs. The conference in Nigeria will be the first in the series.

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Expected Outcomes of the Conference

The conference is expected to achieve the following outcomes:

• Raise awareness of the financing gap facing women entrepreneurs in Nigeria
• Identify solutions and policies to address the financing gap
• Facilitate partnerships between financial institutions and women entrepreneurs
• Promote the AFAWA Guarantee for Growth program

Why is this Conference Important?

The conference is important because it provides a platform for stakeholders to discuss and develop solutions to address the financing gap facing women entrepreneurs in Nigeria. Addressing this gap can help create more jobs, boost economic growth, and reduce poverty.

The AFAWA Finance Series is a timely and important event. By bringing together stakeholders to discuss solutions to the financing gap facing women entrepreneurs in Nigeria, we can help to create a more inclusive and prosperous economy.

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