The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is taking critical steps in efforts to close the 8.5 percent gender financial inclusion gap and achieve 95 percent financial inclusion by 2024. 34,000 women have accessed 62 percent of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Fund (MSMEDF) while over N9.5 billion has been disbursed to over 3,600 women through the Agribusiness Small and Medium Enterprises Equity Investment Scheme (AGSMEIS). Women have also significantly benefitted from other interventions such as the Textile Sector Intervention Facility, Real Sector Support Facility, and Commercial Agriculture Credit Scheme1. In order to ensure gender parity in financial inclusion, women should be incorporated into high wage sectors and become better educated to enable them earn sufficient income and access the financial services available.
