The Gbonse Foundation for Economic Development has reaffirmed its commitment to empowering women through access to microloans, financial literacy training, and community-based support programs.
Speaking during a community outreach held in Igando, Lagos, the Foundation’s Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Helen Olaniyan, said the initiative is focused on helping women build sustainable livelihoods and grow small businesses.
Olaniyan explained that the foundation’s mission is to “lift women one business at a time” by providing financial and educational tools to help them thrive.
“We understand how tough it is for market women and small business owners who struggle daily to make ends meet. Through our small loans and training programs, we support hardworking women to grow their businesses and improve their lives,” she said.
The foundation, which is registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), focuses on financial inclusion, empowerment, and sustainable growth. Its activities include providing microloans to traders and small business owners and offering training in entrepreneurship and money management.
Olaniyan added that the foundation operates on the principles of integrity, innovation, inclusivity, transparency, and accountability, noting that empowering women directly strengthens families and communities.
“When we support women, we support families, children’s education, and healthier communities. Research shows that women reinvest up to 90 percent of their income in their families, which is why we prioritise them,” she said.
She urged women entrepreneurs and traders to take advantage of the foundation’s programs, stressing that the loans require no collateral only commitment and repayment discipline. Olaniyan also called on partners and stakeholders to collaborate with the foundation to expand its impact across Nigeria.
The outreach event also featured free medical check-ups and awareness sessions on women’s empowerment. Beneficiaries praised the initiative, describing it as timely and impactful.
One participant, Kudirat Adeola, said the medical outreach provided relief for women who could not afford hospital visits. Another beneficiary, Oluwapelumi Owolabi, expressed gratitude for the foundation’s support, saying, “I came here without money, but I was attended to for free. It means a lot.”
