The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has reaffirmed its commitment to empowering women in business by bridging the financial gap and ensuring equitable access to investment opportunities, financial services, and wealth-building tools. This initiative is an essential step toward driving national development and fostering economic growth by empowering women across various sectors, including traders, entrepreneurs, and professionals.
At the She’s Included Gender Inclusion Conference and Summit 2025, themed “Breaking Barriers, Building Resilience for Sustainable Economic and Financial Inclusion,” SEC’s Executive Commissioner for Corporate Services, Mrs. Samiya Usman, took the stage to underscore the Commission’s commitment to creating a more inclusive capital market. The event gathered key stakeholders, including women entrepreneurs and financial experts, to discuss ways to enhance gender inclusivity in Nigeria’s financial and economic landscape.
In her address, Mrs. Usman highlighted that the SEC, as the regulatory body overseeing Nigeria’s capital markets, has a dual role—developmental and regulatory. She emphasized that financial inclusion is a key driver of national growth, with the potential to uplift entire communities. When women gain access to financial resources and opportunities, it not only benefits their individual households but also contributes to the growth of their businesses and, by extension, the broader economy. This understanding of the far-reaching impact of women’s financial empowerment is what drives SEC’s policies and initiatives.
In recent years, the SEC has been actively working to enhance the participation of women in the capital market by implementing strategic initiatives that create an enabling environment for women to thrive. These initiatives include developing policies, regulatory frameworks, and collaborations aimed at addressing the unique challenges women face in accessing financial resources. Additionally, SEC has worked with various financial institutions and stakeholders to create gender-focused financial products that cater to women’s specific needs, whether they are looking to invest for wealth-building or seeking specialized financial tools to support their businesses.
One notable example of these efforts is the success of women-centric investment solutions like the United Capital’s Women Wealth for Women Fund. This fund was designed with the aim of providing Nigerian women with the opportunity to build wealth and invest in ways that are tailored to their unique financial goals. The success of such funds showcases the growing recognition of the need to create financial products that serve the interests of women and contribute to narrowing the financial inclusion gap.
The commodities market, particularly agribusiness, is another area where SEC has introduced specialized financial products to support women’s involvement. Nigerian women play a crucial role in the agriculture sector, and many are involved in small-scale farming and agribusiness activities. To encourage their participation and support their growth in this vital sector, SEC has partnered with financial institutions to introduce products that cater specifically to women in agribusiness, helping them access the capital they need to expand their businesses and increase their productivity.
In addition to offering tailored financial products, the SEC has placed a significant emphasis on financial literacy and investor education for women. Recognizing that financial empowerment goes beyond just providing access to funds, SEC has organized targeted webinars, outreach programs, and workshops to increase financial knowledge among women. These programs have been tailored for various groups, such as market women, small business owners, and female entrepreneurs. The goal is to equip women with the skills and knowledge they need to make informed financial decisions, invest wisely, and grow their businesses sustainably
At the summit, SEC also mobilized capital market operators to engage directly with women entrepreneurs. This facilitated networking opportunities, enabling women to interact with key representatives from financial institutions such as the Institute of Capital Market Registrars (ICMR) and the Fund Managers of Nigeria (FMAN). These interactions allowed women to learn more about available investment products and how they could benefit from them. It also provided a platform for women to voice their concerns and needs, giving SEC and other stakeholders valuable insights into the challenges women face in accessing capital and investment opportunities.
The SEC’s ongoing efforts in financial inclusion are a clear indication of the growing recognition of women’s economic power and the importance of their active participation in the economy. By providing women with the tools, resources, and education they need, the SEC is contributing to the creation of a more inclusive financial ecosystem in Nigeria. This inclusive approach not only benefits women but also strengthens the national economy, creating a more resilient and sustainable economic environment for all.
As Nigeria continues to face economic challenges, empowering women and ensuring their financial inclusion will be key to driving sustainable growth. The SEC’s commitment to ensuring that Nigerian women are not just participants but active drivers of the economy will help ensure that the country’s economic future is more inclusive, diverse, and prosperous. With continued efforts and collaborations across sectors, the future of women’s financial inclusion in Nigeria looks brighter, and their impact on the economy will undoubtedly continue to grow.
