By Angela Atabo
A non-governmental social impact organisation, Tech Herfrica, has unveiled a $100,000 RuralMarket Fund to promote digital and financial inclusion among rural women entrepreneurs across the country.
The Founder of Tech Herfrica, Mrs Imade Bibiwei-Osuobeni, said at the inauguration on Wednesday that the fund would be used to build on the success of the 2023 pilot programme, which achieved a 100 per cent repayment rate.
The initiative, launched during the second edition of the PoliServe Dialogue at Kabusa Market in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), was designed as a non-interest revolving fund to support business expansion.
It was also designed for customer outreach, and financial resilience for rural women.
“The pilot programme enabled 70 per cent of beneficiaries to grow their businesses and increase revenue,” she said.
Bibiwei-Osuobeni said the dialogue reaffirmed its commitment to bridging the gap between policy and practice, ensuring that rural women entrepreneurs are included in sustainable development efforts across Africa.
“The RuralMarket Fund is more than financing, it is a pathway to empowerment.
“When rural women have access to fair and inclusive funding, they transform their communities and contribute significantly to local economies,” she said.
According to her, the fund will be disbursed without interest and managed using commercial principles, while beneficiaries will be grouped in clusters and provided with financial management training and tailored business support.
The PoliServe Dialogue, which coincided with the 2025 International Day of Rural Women, brought together key stakeholders from government, the private sector and civil society to discuss practical approaches to inclusive economic development.
This year’s edition with the theme: “Smart Business, Sustained Growth”, featured panel discussions on financial inclusion, digital tools for business growth, mental health, and navigating new tax laws.
Panelists included officials from the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Enhancing Financial Innovation and Access, FCT-Internal Revenue Service, Guaranty Trust Bank, and other development partners.
Amb. Angonimi David-Imeh, Chairman of PoliServe Dialogue 2.0 and Founder of Hope Raisers Global Foundation, called for increased collaboration to drive sustainable growth among rural women entrepreneurs.
“With the right partnerships and smart financing, rural women can transition from survival to sustainable growth.
“We’re not just funding businesses; we’re building legacies of resilience,” David-Imeh said.
The event was supported by several organisations, including the Corporate Affairs Commission, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, EFInA, GTBank, and FCT-IRS.
Others are Hope Raisers Global Foundation, Prince 7 Youth Development Initiative, Rendra Foundation, Holyhill Relief Foundation, Organisation of Women in International Trade, and YALI Network Abuja.
Also present were the representatives of Dutch and Doyenne, DeeBlissful Bakes, The Confident Woman, Radiant Futures, The Aziza Development Foundation, McDream Concepts, Faslearn, Orbeets Digi-Tech, Lexicon Media, and Laerryblue Media. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma
