Sterling Bank Plc has intensified efforts to address the estimated $42 billion annual financing gap affecting women-led businesses in Nigeria through its OneWoman initiative.
The bank convened development finance institutions, investors, policymakers and female entrepreneurs in Lagos at its Funding Her Future Breakfast Dialogue, where discussions focused on practical solutions to improve access to capital for women.
Speaking at the event, the bank’s Managing Director and CEO, Abubakar Suleiman, said the goal is to move beyond discussions and translate shared ideas into measurable impact, emphasizing the need for actionable financing solutions that support inclusive economic growth.
The Head of the OneWoman initiative, Ezinne Nwokafor, noted that despite their contributions to Nigeria’s MSME sector, many women still face significant barriers to funding due to structural challenges such as limited asset ownership and reduced financial visibility.
She explained that the initiative is built around three pillars—capital, capacity and community—designed to provide not just funding but also mentorship, training and support networks for women entrepreneurs.
According to the bank, OneWoman has already disbursed billions in loans and supported thousands of women through training programmes, with plans to expand its impact further under a long-term Vision 2030 strategy aimed at reaching one million women nationwide.