
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1110" height="540" src="https://www.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/AFAWA_AfDB-1110x540.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-351333" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/AFAWA_AfDB-1110x540.jpg 1110w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/AFAWA_AfDB-300x146.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/AFAWA_AfDB-820x399.jpg 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/AFAWA_AfDB-768x374.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/AFAWA_AfDB-1536x747.jpg 1536w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/AFAWA_AfDB-696x339.jpg 696w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/AFAWA_AfDB-1068x520.jpg 1068w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/AFAWA_AfDB-863x420.jpg 863w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/AFAWA_AfDB.jpg 1700w" sizes="(max-width: 1110px) 100vw, 1110px" /></figure>



<p>By Angelique Kidjo</p>



<p>In African cultures, women play a nurturing role, they are the backbone of the continent. Yet, they face a $42 billion-dollar financing gap with over 3/4 of them being financially excluded.</p>



<p>This means that when it comes to lending money,
women are systematically seen as high-risk by financial institutions. In
Africa, viable guarantees often come in the form of land and properties, both
of which are rarely accessible to women. Land is, indeed, the most critical
economic resource for the vast majority of the population in rural areas who
depend on agriculture for their livelihoods. Yet, throughout many African
countries, women have less access, control, and ownership of this key assets
and their land rights are less secure. This often limits women&#8217;s economic
opportunities and leaves them more vulnerable to poverty.</p>



<p>As a result of this systemic discrimination
against women, access to financial services disproportionately favours men. For
instance, in Africa men have 50% more global wealth than women and run more
than 86% of businesses. Local barriers are also erected in front of African
women: most of them at the continental level operate in informal sectors or
very rural areas with limited banking facilities, making easy access to finance
almost unheard of. This is a market failure that must be addressed to ensure
equal access to banking and ultimately equal rights.</p>



<p>The capital lost because of the financial
exclusion of women is deeply affecting our economy and most importantly, deeply
impacting our societies. When you are struggling to make ends meet, to put a
meal on the table, to raise your kids, why wouldn’t you try to go to Europe,
despite the risks and the thousands of lives lost at sea?</p>



<p>The AFAWA initiative is a direct response to
the challenges faced by women in Africa, and the need to unlock access to
finance. It is a major step in the right direction for women all over Africa,
but it is certainly not the end of the battle. AFAWA’s primary end
beneficiaries are African women’s enterprises across the continent, often
neglected by the traditional banking system. A more equal – and gender equal –
Africa is not just a political ideal. It will have a ripple effect on Africa’s
development and human capital. It will lay the foundations for a resilient,
prosperous and forward-looking Africa.</p>



<p>The goal here is to work towards eliminating
these structural and cultural barriers, creating wealth, generating growth, and
supporting female entrepreuneurship. It is surely the first of many steps
towards women’s empowerment, which will ultimately lead to economic growth
across the entire continent. But banks and governments need to act, and act
now, for women to be empowered, for these inequalities to be resolved, and for
the economy to grow.</p>



<p>Women in Africa are the heartbeat of the
continent, they are the agents of long lasting change. If we want to invest in
the future, we need to empower women by investing in them. </p>



<p>Of course, we know that the AFAWA initiative
alone will not by itself tear down the many hurdles inhibiting women’s
abilities and opportunities. However, I believe that this initiative can
significantly shape the future of Africa. </p>


AFAWA_AfDB

Op-Ed: How the AFAWA initiative is empowering women to propel Africa forward

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<p>The CEO of Nigeria&#8217;s Bank of Industry Olukayode Pitan says the idea of the Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa is to make lenders do more for women. CNBC Africa&#8217;s Kenneth Igbomor caught up with him on the sidelines of the Global Gender Summit after they signed a letter of intent on the AFAWA risk-sharing facility.</p>


Global Gender Summit:  AFAWA: Nigeria’s Bank of Industry signs letter of intent

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<p>French President, Emmanuel Macron and G7 leaders approved a $251 million package in support of African Development Bank&#8217;s (AfDB) Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA) initiative earlier in August. CNBC Africa&#8217;s Kenneth Igbomor spoke to Phillipe Lacoste, Director for Sustainable Development at the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs to discuss the importance of this initiative for Africa.</p>


Global Gender Summit: Phillipe Lacoste: There is more political will to lend more to women

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<p>The government of Rwanda through its minister of finance yesterday committed herself to contribution of $1 million to the Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA) Risk-Sharing Facility on the sidelines of the ongoing Global Gender Summit. CNBC africa&#8217;s Arnold Kwizera spoke to Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Uzziel Ndagijiminana for more.</p>


Global Gender Summit: Rwanda commits $1mn contribution to AFAWA

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<p>For too long, agriculture took the back-seat in the development process. While around 60 to 70 per cent of Africans work in agriculture, countries import large amounts of agricultural products and processed goods. CNBC Africa’s Kenneth Igbomor spoke to Jennifer Blanke, Vice President Agriculture, Human and Social Development, African Development Bank about the importance of developing the agriculture and agro-processing sectors in Africa. They also discuss the African Development Bank’s Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA) initiative.</p>


afawa

Op-Ed: How the AFAWA initiative is empowering women to propel Africa forward

Global Gender Summit: AFAWA: Nigeria’s Bank of Industry signs letter of intent

Global Gender Summit: Phillipe Lacoste: There is more political will to lend more to women

Global Gender Summit: Rwanda commits $1mn contribution to AFAWA

Africa Investment Forum: AfDB on why agriculture remains key to Africa’s growth

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afawa

Op-Ed: How the AFAWA initiative is empowering women to propel Africa forward

Global Gender Summit: AFAWA: Nigeria’s Bank of Industry signs letter of intent

Global Gender Summit: Phillipe Lacoste: There is more political will to lend more to women

Global Gender Summit: Rwanda commits $1mn contribution to AFAWA

Africa Investment Forum: AfDB on why agriculture remains key to Africa’s growth

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Advertise With Us

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