The Women in Business Trade Group of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) organised a stakeholders' forum on Friday, May 8, 2026, aimed at mobilising non-interest funding for women-owned businesses and promoting inclusive access to finance for female entrepreneurs in Nigeria. The event, themed "Mobilising Non Interest Funding for Women Businesses," brought together representatives of financial institutions, regulatory agencies, development partners, and women entrepreneurs in Abuja to explore alternative financing models for small and medium-scale enterprises.
Addressing the Financing Gap
Speaking at the forum, the Chairperson of the Women in Business Trade Group, Mrs. Chioma Njoku, stated that the initiative was designed to address the persistent financing gap affecting women entrepreneurs, despite their growing contribution to job creation, household stability, and national economic development. She noted that many women-led businesses continue to face structural and systemic challenges, such as limited access to collateral, high cost of borrowing, and exclusion from formal financial systems. According to her, non-interest finance presents a more ethical, transparent, and inclusive financing option based on fairness, shared risk, and real economic value creation.
"This gathering is not just another event on our calendar. It is a deliberate response to a critical gap that continues to affect women-led enterprises across Nigeria: access to affordable, ethical, and inclusive financing," she said. Njoku added that the forum was also designed to improve awareness of non-interest financial products, highlight available funding opportunities, and create direct engagement between women entrepreneurs and financial institutions. She stressed that empowering women with access to finance would strengthen businesses, improve livelihoods, and contribute significantly to national economic growth.
Support from ACCI Leadership
The President of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Chief Emeka Obegolu, who was represented by the 1st Deputy President, Prof Adesoji Adesugba, commended the initiative, noting that access to finance remains a critical driver of enterprise development and economic expansion in Nigeria. He said targeted interventions for women entrepreneurs would help unlock new levels of productivity and innovation across sectors.
Keynote Address on Non-Interest Finance
Delivering the keynote address, Ummahani Ahmad Amin described non-interest finance as one of the most underutilised but practical financing options available to businesses in Nigeria. She said many women entrepreneurs struggle to access funding due to inadequate collateral, unstable interest rates, informal business structures, and weak financial documentation. According to her, these challenges continue to widen the financing gap and limit the ability of women-owned businesses to scale.
Amin explained that non-interest financing is built on principles of fairness, transparency, and risk sharing, making it a viable alternative for small and growing businesses. She highlighted key instruments such as Murabaha, Mudaraba, Ijara, and Sukuk, noting that they offer structured and predictable financing arrangements. She explained that Murabaha allows entrepreneurs to know the total cost of financing from the outset, while Mudaraba supports profit and loss sharing between financiers and business owners. She added that Ijara provides leasing arrangements for business assets, while Sukuk-based funding can support broader investment in infrastructure and enterprise development.
Amin further stated that regulatory institutions, including the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Securities and Exchange Commission, have established frameworks to support the growth of non-interest finance in the country. She urged women entrepreneurs to formalise their businesses, maintain proper records, and build strong financial identities to improve their access to funding opportunities.
Interactive Discussions and Outcomes
The forum also featured interactive discussions on financial literacy, access to credit, and strategies for strengthening women-led enterprises, with participants calling for more inclusive financing pathways to support business growth across Nigeria. The event underscored the commitment of ACCI to fostering an enabling environment for women entrepreneurs and promoting alternative financing models that are ethical, transparent, and accessible.
