By Osaretin Osadebamwen
Expanding access to commercial credit for female entrepreneurs must be treated as a high-yield economic strategy rather than a corporate social responsibility exercise, according to the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr. Mariya Mahmoud.
Speaking at the Second National Gender Inclusion Conference at the Presidential Villa, Mahmoud challenged financial institutions, venture funds, and private sector leaders to shift from traditional micro-grants to sustainable, scalable financing for women-led enterprises.
The minister said this in a statement signed by the Special Assistant to the FCT Minister of State, Mr. Austine Elmue and made available to interceptng.com.
She emphasized that while women serve as vital drivers across agriculture, technology, and trade, persistent structural barriers in traditional banking continue to restrict their access to capital, land, and global supply chains.
To bridge this gap, the Minister advocated for integrating female-led businesses into mainstream digital financial services, introducing gender-responsive budgeting, and providing targeted business development support.
Pointing to the FCT Administration’s investments in market infrastructure, skill acquisition, and transportation, Mahmoud asserted that measurable economic success should be evaluated by the direct volume of private and institutional capital reaching underserved women.
The minister emphasized that “nothing about women should be designed without women.”
