The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) is moving to improve access to funding for Nigerian women entrepreneurs through low-interest financing options and simpler loan conditions, in collaboration with financial institutions.
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As obtained by Nigeria Startup News, the initiative is aimed at tackling persistent barriers such as high interest rates, stringent collateral requirements and limited credit history, which continue to restrict many women-owned businesses from accessing capital.
President of ACCI, Emeka Obegolu, disclosed this while briefing newsmen on Thursday in Abuja ahead of a High-level Stakeholders’ Roundtable on Mobilising Non-interest Funding for Women-Owned Businesses.
Obegolu said the meeting would focus on practical solutions to ease access to finance, particularly through non-interest funding models designed to reduce borrowing pressure on women entrepreneurs.
“The ACCI, through its Banking, Insurance and Finance Trade Group in collaboration with the Women in Business Trade Group, will host the programme on May 8, 2026 to explore non-interest financing,” he said.
He explained that the initiative forms part of a broader strategy by the chamber to close the financing gap affecting women entrepreneurs across the country.
“At ACCI, we have consistently prioritised initiatives that promote women’s inclusion in business and economic development. We recognise that women-owned enterprises are not only vital contributors to job creation and innovation, but also key drivers of sustainable growth,” Obegolu said.
He added that promoting non-interest financing models would create practical pathways for women to access funding without the burden of high interest rates and rigid collateral requirements.
According to him, the chamber is focused on ensuring that the outcome of the engagement goes beyond discussions.
“The ACCI remains committed to building platforms that translate dialogue into real impact. Our goal is not just to convene conversations but to catalyse actionable outcomes, strengthening partnerships, influencing policy and ensuring that women entrepreneurs are equipped with resources and networks to scale their businesses,” he said.
Also speaking, Iliyasu Gashinbaki, Founder and President of the Chartered Institute of Forensics and Certified Fraud Investigators of Nigeria (CIFCFIN), said non-interest finance offers a practical solution to funding challenges faced by entrepreneurs.
He noted that the roundtable would help deepen collaboration among stakeholders and support the design of sustainable and accessible financing options.
Chairperson of the Women in Business Trade Group, Chioma Njoku, said the programme is structured to bridge inclusivity gaps by focusing on the realities of women entrepreneurs.
According to her, the initiative will build trust, raise awareness and provide women with the tools and networks required to access funding opportunities.
She stressed the need for intentional support, noting that women-owned businesses contribute significantly to economic resilience and community development when given improved access to finance.
Director-General of ACCI, Agabaidu Jideani, said the roundtable would support enterprise development and policy advocacy while strengthening partnerships across sectors.
He expressed optimism that the initiative would expand funding access and accelerate the growth of women-owned businesses nationwide.
The programme is convened by the Finance and Banking, Insurance and Finance Trade Group, with the Women in Business Trade Group as co-convener, alongside other stakeholders.
Nigeria Startup News reports that participants are expected from key institutions, including the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, the Ministry of Women Affairs, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Bank of Industry (BoI), among others, reflecting coordinated efforts to expand access to affordable finance for women entrepreneurs in Nigeria.
