The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) is set to host a high-level stakeholders’ roundtable aimed at advancing access to non-interest financing for women-owned enterprises, in a move to address persistent funding constraints facing female entrepreneurs across Nigeria.
Scheduled for May 8, 2026, at the Prince Adetokunbo Kayode SAN Abuja Trade and Convention Centre in Abuja, the roundtable is being organized through ACCI’s Banking, Insurance and Finance Trade Group in collaboration with its Women in Business Trade Group.
The session is expected to convene policymakers, regulators, financial institutions, development partners, and entrepreneurs to explore inclusive financing pathways.
The President of ACCI, Emeka Obegolu, will serve as Chief Host, while the Vice President for Women Development and Gender Matters, Lawunmi Ismail, will co-host the event. The initiative is being convened by the Vice President, Finance and Chairman of the Banking, Insurance and Finance Trade Group, Iliyasu Gashinbaki, alongside Chioma Njoku, who will serve as co-convener.
Organizers say the roundtable is designed to confront structural barriers that limit women’s access to conventional financing, including high interest rates, stringent collateral requirements, and weak credit histories.
Central to the discussions will be non-interest financial instruments such as Murabaha, Mudaraba, Ijara, and Sukuk which emphasize ethical, asset-backed, and risk-sharing principles.
Speaking ahead of the event, Obegolu reaffirmed the Chamber’s commitment to gender inclusive economic development, noting that women-owned enterprises are critical drivers of job creation, innovation, and sustainable growth.
“At ACCI, we have consistently prioritized initiatives that promote women’s inclusion in business and economic development. This roundtable is part of a broader strategy to close the financing gap and create practical pathways for women to access capital without the constraints of high interest rates and rigid collateral requirements,” he said.
He added that the Chamber’s objective extends beyond dialogue to achieving measurable outcomes, including stronger partnerships, policy influence, and enhanced access to resources for women entrepreneurs.
Ismail emphasized the centrality of women-led businesses to economic resilience, stating that expanding access to non-interest financing would not only remove barriers but also enable women to scale their ventures more confidently.
Gashinbaki highlighted the growing relevance of alternative financing models, describing non-interest finance as a practical and ethical solution to funding challenges.
He noted that the roundtable would deepen stakeholder understanding, strengthen collaboration, and produce sustainable financing solutions.
Njoku, on her part, underscored the importance of inclusion, stressing that the initiative is structured to ensure that the realities and perspectives of women entrepreneurs shape financial solutions.
She said the platform would help build trust, raise awareness, and connect women with critical funding networks.
The event is expected to attract participation from key public and private sector institutions, including the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the African Development Bank, the Bank of Industry, and the Development Bank of Nigeria.
Beyond institutional representation, the roundtable will bring together fintech firms, development partners, and entrepreneurs to facilitate direct engagement and collaborative problem-solving. Key discussions will focus on increasing awareness of non-interest financial instruments, addressing misconceptions, and generating actionable policy recommendations to strengthen financial inclusion.
Also speaking, the Director General of ACCI, Agabaidu Jideani, described the roundtable as a strategic intervention aligned with the Chamber’s mandate to promote enterprise development and policy advocacy.
He noted that the initiative reflects ACCI’s commitment to fostering an enabling environment where women entrepreneurs can thrive through innovative financing mechanisms.
