Visa’s Moodley on empowering women-owned businesses in Africa

Visa, a global leader in digital payments, is making significant strides in empowering women-owned businesses in Africa. Lineshree Moodley, the Country Head of Visa South Africa, recently shared insights on the progress made in advancing women entrepreneurs in the region. Speaking from the FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit in Johannesburg, Moodley highlighted the importance of promoting gender diversity and financial inclusion in the economy. She emphasized the need for more women in leadership positions and the launch of initiatives like She's Next, a program aimed at coaching, mentoring, and funding female entrepreneurs. Visa's partnership with EPSA, a bank, seeks to address challenges faced by women-run businesses, including access to finance and digital capabilities. By fostering collaboration within the ecosystem, Visa and EPSA are working towards empowering women entrepreneurs and driving societal impact. In a conversation with CNBC Africa, Moodley pointed out the opportunities for growth in the financial sector, particularly with the rise of fintech companies. She expressed optimism about the potential for innovation and collaboration to support SMEs and drive economic development. Despite the challenges faced by businesses in coping with higher costs and input pressures, Moodley remains positive about the future of financial services in Africa. She emphasized the role of policy in promoting gender equality and financial inclusion, stressing the importance of conscious decision-making within organizations to drive progress. By advocating for women's voices to be heard and nurturing the next generation of female leaders, Moodley believes in creating a more inclusive and diverse business environment. As the landscape of financial services continues to evolve, Visa's commitment to empowering women entrepreneurs is a key driver of economic growth and social advancement in Africa. By championing initiatives like She's Next and partnering with institutions like EPSA, Visa is paving the way for greater opportunities and inclusivity in the business world. The journey towards equality and empowerment requires collective effort and collaboration from all stakeholders, and Visa's leadership in this space sets a positive example for the industry at large.