Breaking Barriers: SEC Deepens Financial Inclusion for Women, Strengthens Economic Resilience

Founder and Managing Director Kudimata Nigeria Limited Mrs. Kathleen Erhimu and Executive Commissioner Corporate Services, Securities and Exchange Commission Mrs. Samiya Usman, during the She’s Included Gender Inclusion Conference and Summit 2025 held in Abuja weekend.

In recognition of the transformative power of financial inclusion, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that Nigerian women—whether traders, entrepreneurs, professionals, or investors—gain equitable access to financial services and sustainable wealth-building opportunities.

At the She’s Included Gender Inclusion Conference and Summit 2025, themed “Breaking Barriers, Building Resilience for Sustainable Economic and Financial Inclusion,” SEC’s Executive Commissioner for Corporate Services, Mrs. Samiya Usman, outlined the Commission’s strategic efforts to foster an inclusive financial ecosystem.

As the regulator and developer of Nigeria’s capital market, SEC recognizes that empowering women financially translates to strengthening households, communities, and ultimately, the nation’s economy. Over the years, the Commission has implemented policies, regulatory frameworks, and strategic partnerships to promote women-focused financial products and services.

One of the key highlights of this commitment is the rise of women-centered investment solutions within the capital market. For instance, United Capital’s Women Wealth for Women Fund serves as a testament to the financial sector’s responsiveness to gender-inclusive investment needs. Additionally, innovative financial products have been structured in the commodities market to enhance female participation in agribusiness—an industry where Nigerian women play a pivotal role.

Beyond policy advocacy, SEC has championed Investor Education for Women, leveraging webinars and targeted literacy programs to reach market women, SMEs, and women-led businesses. Through these initiatives, thousands of women have gained the financial knowledge necessary to engage meaningfully in the capital market.

However, despite these strides, barriers persist. Cultural norms, financial literacy gaps, limited access to credit, and the predominance of informal economic activities continue to hinder women’s full participation in the financial sector. Northern Nigeria remains a focal point, where financial exclusion among women is particularly pronounced, necessitating intensified efforts to bridge this gap.

Mrs. Usman emphasized that financial empowerment is a collective responsibility. She called on stakeholders—including financial institutions, market operators, and policymakers—to collaborate in dismantling structural barriers by:

• Expanding gender-focused financial inclusion policies.
• Encouraging financial institutions to introduce more tailored products for women.
• Strengthening investor education programs, particularly in underserved regions.
• Enhancing access to capital market financing for women-led businesses and SMEs.

Reflecting on the broader vision, the SEC’s unwavering commitment to fostering financial inclusion is not merely a policy stance—it is a strategic imperative for national economic resilience. As Nigeria works towards inclusive growth, empowering women financially remains a non-negotiable pillar for sustainable development.

Mrs. Usman’s parting words at the summit were both a challenge and an inspiration:
“A financially empowered woman builds an empowered household, and an empowered household lays the foundation for a prosperous nation. Let us work together to ensure no woman is left behind in the pursuit of financial security and economic progress.”