The Women’s Economic and Financial Inclusion Programme is a flagship initiative of the Initiative for Gender Equality and Development in Africa (IGED-Africa) focused on promoting women’s economic empowerment, financial independence, and equitable participation in economic development across Africa.
Women make significant contributions to African economies through paid work, entrepreneurship, agriculture, care work, informal trade, community leadership, and household management. Yet many women continue to face structural, social, and institutional barriers that limit their access to economic opportunities, financial resources, productive assets, markets, technology, and decision-making processes.
These barriers include limited access to finance, unequal pay, restricted property ownership, low financial literacy, inadequate business support services, exclusion from formal financial systems, and limited access to markets and digital tools. As a result, many women remain economically vulnerable despite their contribution to families, communities, and national development.
Through this programme, IGED-Africa works to create an enabling environment where women can access resources, build sustainable livelihoods, grow businesses, accumulate assets, and participate fully in local, national, and regional economies.
The programme strengthens women’s ability to generate sustainable income, own productive assets, and participate in economic activities that improve their livelihoods and well-being. It also promotes women’s access to affordable and gender-responsive financial products and services, including savings, credit, insurance, and digital financial solutions.
A key part of this work is supporting women-led enterprises. IGED-Africa promotes entrepreneurship development, business support services, and capacity building to help women grow competitive and sustainable businesses.
The programme also strengthens financial literacy and capability by equipping women with the knowledge and skills needed to make informed financial decisions, manage resources effectively, and build long-term financial security.
At the policy level, IGED-Africa advocates for gender-responsive economic policies, regulations, and institutional practices that remove barriers to women’s economic participation and financial inclusion.
By promoting women’s economic empowerment and financial inclusion, IGED-Africa contributes to poverty reduction, resilience, social justice, and inclusive growth. The programme affirms that when women have access to resources, finance, assets, markets, and decision-making power, families, communities, and economies are stronger.
