PalmPay has unveiled a new initiative aimed at empowering 5,000 women-led microbusinesses in Northern Nigeria, as part of its ongoing effort to drive financial inclusion and promote gender equity in underserved communities.
The initiative, “Passing the Baton,” offers beneficiaries financial literacy training, support for business branding, access to free health insurance, and tools to boost their business operations. According to PalmPay, the program is designed to strengthen the financial and operational capacities of women entrepreneurs at the grassroots level.
The company’s Managing Director said the initiative reflects PalmPay’s strategic commitment to empowering communities that have been historically excluded from mainstream financial systems. By targeting women in Northern Nigeria, PalmPay hopes to address longstanding disparities in access to financial services and business opportunities.
“True financial inclusion must extend to the grassroots,” the managing director stated. “Supporting women-led businesses in the North is essential to closing the opportunity gap and building community-driven economic growth.”
As part of the initiative, participants will receive hands-on training through structured workshops, support for improving their store branding, and branded materials to enhance their visibility in local markets. PalmPay said this holistic approach is intended to make the businesses more sustainable and visible to customers.
The launch also received the backing of the Emir of Kano, who urged other private-sector players and development institutions to partner with PalmPay in expanding digital access in the region. He emphasized that financial inclusion is a vital tool for economic empowerment and called for wider collaboration to support regional growth.
PalmPay confirmed that the onboarding of the first group of beneficiaries is already underway, with training sessions scheduled to run in phases. The company sees this as a scalable model that could be expanded across other states in Northern Nigeria to deepen economic independence and boost digital inclusion.
This initiative comes as financial inclusion remains a pressing challenge in Northern Nigeria, especially among women. Many in rural and low-income areas still face barriers to accessing financial services due to poor digital infrastructure and income inequality.
PalmPay’s model aligns with wider fintech trends focused on using digital tools to reach unbanked populations. The company has also recently invested in expanding its mobile money services and agent network, positioning itself to play a leading role in Nigeria’s inclusion drive.
Through “Passing the Baton,” PalmPay aims to contribute to national goals around job creation, financial empowerment, and regional development. The initiative also supports the Central Bank of Nigeria’s target of achieving 95% financial inclusion by 2025.
PalmPay stressed that this is not a one-time intervention, but part of an ongoing series of community-based programs designed to bring accessible and affordable financial solutions to Nigerians across the country.
