WE Finance Code

🎉 The National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic and EBRD Partner to Champion Women’s Financial Empowerment with the #WEFinanceCode 🎉 Melis Turgunbaev, Chairman of the National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic, and Mark Bowman, EBRD Vice President for Policy and Partnerships, formalized an MOU on the sidelines of the World Bank-IMF Annual Meetings to advance the WE Finance Code initiative and expand financial access for #WSMEs. The WE Finance Code supports the development of data-driven policies and drives actions to create a financial ecosystem that fosters leadership and #economicinclusion for #womenentrepreneurs. By taking this step, the National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic reaffirms its commitment to inclusive growth and #financialempowerment. Chairman Turgunbaev underscored the significance of the MOU, stating, “Expanding financial access for women-led enterprises is essential not only for economic prosperity but also for fostering a more equitable society. The WE Finance Code will help enhance our data capabilities and identify new opportunities for WSMEs, ultimately broadening financial access for women entrepreneurs across #Kyrgyzstan. We trust that the signing of the Memorandum will serve as a catalyst for new opportunities and initiatives, empowering women to realize their potential.” ➡️ Learn more about the WE Finance Code at www.wefinancecode.org

🎊 The Central Bank of Mongolia Joins the #WEFinanceCode 🎊 The Central Bank of Mongolia is reinforcing its commitment to women-owned and led enterprises by adopting the WE Finance Code—a global initiative to expand financing for #womenentrepreneurs. On the sidelines of the World Bank-IMF Annual Meetings, the Central Bank of Mongolia and the EBRD signed an MOU to collaborate on implementing the Code in #Mongolia to advance #financialinclusion for #WSMEs. This partnership aims to develop new #data tools for the financial sector and enhance services for women entrepreneurs. "Empowering women-led businesses is key to strengthening Mongolia's economy. With the WE Finance Code, we are collaborating across the financial sector to champion equal opportunities for all entrepreneurs. This initiative reinforces our dedication to advancing financial inclusion and shaping a more equitable future" said Lkhagvasuren Byadran, Governor, Central Bank of Mongolia.

🎉 The Central Bank of the Republic of Kosova Commits to the #WEFinanceCode 🎉 On the sidelines of the World Bank-IMF Annual Meetings, the Central Bank of Kosovo and the EBRD signed an MOU to implement the WE Finance Code, a global initiative to expand financing for women entrepreneurs. The Code will strengthen #WSMEs in #Kosovo by fostering leadership, generating strategic data insights to inform policy-making, and promoting expanded access to finance for women—an important objective in the Central Bank of Kosovo’s mission to drive inclusive growth. Ahmet Ismaili, Ph.D., Governor of the Central Bank of Kosovo, celebrated the occasion remarking, "...Improving access to finance for women depends on the availability of reliable #data and a clear understanding of the challenges they face. By participating in the WE Finance Code, the Central Bank of Kosovo is committed to improving data collection and engaging in initiatives that contribute to broader efforts to enhance #financialinclusion for women-led businesses." Read more: https://lnkd.in/edVGEd3H

🎉 Congratulations to #WEFinanceCode Signatory the Reserve Bank of Fiji for receiving the Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI)'s 2024 Nestor Espenilla Jr. Award after successfully introducing a number of innovative solutions to drive #accesstofinance. 🎉 These include generating comprehensive #financialinclusion #data from both the demand and supply side, introducing parametric micro-insurance in order to build #climateresilience, launching a FinTech regulatory sandbox, and more ⬇️ . . . . Asian Development Bank (ADB) ADB Gender Keiko Nowacka Joanna Romero Wendy Teleki

🗓️🚨#SavetheDate: Primer on the Strategic and Business Case for Serving #WMSMEs🚨🗓️ This #webinar series from the Financial Alliance for Women will equip financial services providers with the information they need to engage #womenentrepreneurs as a distinct and untapped market segment. Designed in partnership with the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative (We-Fi), the Primer will support financial institutions to fulfill their #WEFinanceCode commitments and close gender #financegaps. 🏗️ Session One: Building the Strategic Case (10/31) 📊 Session Two: Creating the Customer Value Proposition (11/7) 🤝 Session Three: Building Internal Alignment (11/14) 📏 Session Four: Measuring Progress (11/21) 🕒 1:30 - 3:00PM GMT ➡️Learn more and register here: https://lnkd.in/d9vD_UQU

💐🍾 #Nigeria Joins the #WEFinanceCode 💐🍾 Data from Women's World Banking shows that Nigerian women's entrepreneurial activity outpaces that of men's by four percent, but they face a N294 billion gender #financegap. Last week, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Bank of Industry Limited (BoI), and the Development Bank of Nigeria Plc (DBN) took steps to empower Nigeria's #womenentrepreneurs by committing to the WE Finance Code at CBN headquarters in Abuja. Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, Governor of CBN, called on stakeholders across the financial ecosystem to support the national coalition and adopt the Code, recognizing the economic empowerment of women entrepreneurs as both a collective responsibility and a N294 billion market opportunity. Dr. Olasupo Olusi, BoI Managing Director, and Tony Okpanachi, Ph.D, DBN Managing Director, echoed their commitments while also highlighting how their financial institutions are already serving #WSMEs. 📰 Check out media coverage of the launch below ⬇️ 🔗 ARISE News: https://lnkd.in/evRHF_dv 🔗New Telegraph: https://lnkd.in/eqrmH5Tz 🔗 NIGERIAN TRIBUNE: https://lnkd.in/eM2cxKNx 🔗 Punch Newspapers: https://lnkd.in/eMJjiYf8 🔗Regtech Africa: https://lnkd.in/eU6arDKC 🔗The Nation Nigeria: https://lnkd.in/ew_BfUXf . . . With special thanks to: Mr. Philip Ikeazor, FCIB, Deputy Governor, Financial System Stability, CBN and Ms. Temitope Akin-Fadeyi, Head, Micro Credit Office, Development Finance Department, CBN 🙏

CARE became a global signatory of the WE Finance Code this year. In their most recent Communique, WE Finance Code highlights our commitment to championing women-led businesses and working to eliminate financing gaps for women entrepreneurs. So proud to be a part of this initiative, and to see what good company we're in! CARE Women's Entrepreneurship, Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative (We-Fi) #StriveWomen #WeFi #EmpowerWomen #WomenEntrepreneurs #WEFinanceCode #HerBusinessHerFinancialFuture https://ow.ly/wWFp50TuFxG

🚩Westpac, Merchant Finance Pte Limited, SPBD Microfinance Network, and the South Pacific Stock Exchange (SPX) join the Fiji #WEFinanceCode🚩 #Fiji is one of the first countries to adopt the WE Finance Code to support and uplift #womenentrepreneurs across the nation. The new signatories underscore this commitment as the first private sector leaders to join the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection; the Ministry of Trade, Co-operatives and Small and Medium Enterprises; the Reserve Bank of Fiji and the Fiji Development Bank who signed the Code in March this year. In her remarks, Permanent Secretary for Women, Children and Social Protection Ms. Eseta Nadakuitavuki shared the consensus that “cultural norms, lack of financial literacy and systemic biases have long held women back but with the WE Finance Code, we are taking a stand. We are saying that these barriers must come down and that women’s voices must be heard and valued in the financial sector.” 📰 Press Release: https://lnkd.in/gwpWK2P5 🔗 Learn about the global rollout of the WE Finance Code: www.wefinancecode.org . . . Wendy Teleki Keiko Nowacka Marla Munkh-Achit Joanna Romero Asian Development Bank (ADB)

🥂🎊 Madagascar Joins the #WEFinanceCode🎊🥂 The pilot #Madagascar Code was officially launched last week with the support of H.E. Minister Rindra Hasimbelo Rabarinirinarison of the Ministère de l'Economie et des Finances de Madagascar. Joining the WE Finance Code signifies that Madagascar's government, financial actors and development partners are committing to work together to remove financing barriers, support women's businesses, accelerate growth and job creation, and therefore promote a more inclusive and prosperous economic future for the country. 💵 📈 Featured at the launch were WE Finance Code National Champions ♀️✊ Fanja RAZAKABOANA, Hanta Rakotovao, Fanjaharivola RAKOTOMAHARO and Rinah V.H Ranaivoharisoa, whose leadership and commitment to improving the lives of #womenentreprenurs were recognized in their selection by the The World Bank to help implement the Madagascar Code. Recent surveys of Madagascar's microfinance institutions revealed that while nearly 61% of credit applications come from #WSMEs, a significant number are rejected or do not result in the necessary financing - the implementation of the WE Finance Code will contribute to not only increased #genderequality in the country, but more private investment and employment opportunities for all. 📺Stream the full launch here: https://lnkd.in/eSHgsgZC 🔗Read the press release here: https://lnkd.in/e5B7Vvrs . . . 🙏Many thanks to MP Clarisse Manjary Mandridake, PhD; Sonia Plaza; Etienne Sannicolo and Consolate Rusagara for their commitment to women's foundational wellbeing, economic participation and leadership. #LeadershipFéminin #TransformationÉconomique #Inclusivité

We are thrilled to announce that Fundación Microfinanzas BBVA has become a global signatory of the WE Finance Code! This trailblazing initiative is dedicated to driving systemic change within the financial ecosystem to bridge the gender finance gap. By joining the WE Finance Code, BBVA commits to championing women-led businesses and working tirelessly to eliminate financing gaps for women entrepreneurs. FMBBVA already serves over 1.7 million vulnerable women entrepreneurs across five Latin American countries, providing them with essential financial services and initiatives. WE Finance Code represents a collective commitment by financial service providers, regulators, development banks, and other financial ecosystem players to increase funding for women-led micro, small, and medium enterprises (WMSMEs) globally. Launched in October 2023 at the World Bank – IMF Annual Meetings in Marrakech, this initiative is now being piloted in over 30 countries worldwide. Read more: https://lnkd.in/ezZmM7Mz #WeFi #WomenEntrepreneurs #FinancialInclusion #Empowerment #Partnership #GenderEquality