Explore the latest global and regional insights from Women’s World Banking’s work in policy, leadership, women’s entrepreneurship, gender lens investing, and more.
14 May 2025, Nairobi – Absa Bank Kenya has today announced a strategic partnership with Women’s World Banking, aimed at deepening financial inclusion and promoting economic empowerment of women entrepreneurs across Kenya. This partnership was signed on the sidelines of the Women’s World Banking partners breakfast held in Nairobi. It will
New York, January 23, 2025 – Women’s World Banking is thrilled to announce an exciting partnership, aligned with our mission to advance Gender Lens Investing. After six years of impactful work, Women of the World Endowment (WoWE) has joined forces with, and transferred its assets to, Women’s World Banking. Women
10 later stage fintechs pioneering innovative financial solutions for the low-income women’s market announced as semifinalists; first-ever Female Founder’s Circle participants named November 2, 2022 – At the Singapore FinTech Festival today, Women’s World Banking announced the 10 semifinalists for the 2023 Fintech Innovation Challenge, a global competition to highlight
New York, 18 October 2022 — Women’s World Banking Capital Partners II (WWBCP II) has announced an investment in Latin American fintech company Tienda Pago, representing WWBCP II’s ninth investment to date. WWBCP II seeks to close the gender gap in financial inclusion, while demonstrating the business case for gender
New Board members bring leadership in driving economic empowerment outcomes in sub-Saharan Africa and amongst young girls through digital financial and investment literacy. NEW YORK, Sept. 14, 2022 — Women’s World Banking today announced the appointment of two new members to its Board of Directors. This brings the number of Board members
Competition invites later stage fintechs pioneering innovative financial solutions for the low-income women’s market to apply; finalists and winner to access premier fintech networks and resources NEW YORK, Aug. 3, 2022 – Women’s World Banking announced today the 2023 Fintech Innovation Challenge, a global competition to highlight and advance solutions to
New Women’s Digital Financial Inclusion Advocacy Hub to Champion Equal Access to Digital Financial Services for Women; Initial Efforts to Support Local Coalitions in Indonesia and Ethiopia; as well as Encourage Others to Join the Coalition NEW YORK – July 20, 2022 – Women’s World Banking and the UN Capital
Why it takes more than microloans to empower women and promote sustainable, inclusive economic growth. “In her book, Mary Ellen Iskenderian reminds us to ask where our bank finance flows and how much is used for building unequal wealth or destructive institutions that harm humans and the natural environment. How
Impact performance measurement of microfinance institutions in 41 countries will launch in Q2 2022 with support from sector leaders. April 13, 2022 – In a global effort to promote standard, comparable impact outcomes data for the microfinance industry, 60 Decibels will release the first microfinance index driven entirely by end
New York, NY, March 30, 2022 – Women’s World Banking Asset Management (“WAM”) has announced the final closing of its second fund, WWB Capital Partners II, L.P. (“WWBCP II” or “the Fund”). Following its first closing of $75 million in March 2020, WWBCP II held a final closing in March
Women’s World Banking will use funds to create economic opportunities for women and girls amidst COVID-19 recovery New York, NY, November 8, 2021: Women’s World Banking has been named one of 34 selected organizations to receive funds from the Google.org Impact Challenge for Women and Girls out of nearly 8,000
Women’s World Banking Capital Partners (“WWBCP”) has successfully completed the sale of its stake in Enda Tamweel to Maghrebia Vie, part of UFI Group, one of the leading Tunisian groups. Enda Tamweel has been part of the Women’s World Banking global network of inclusive financial service providers for decades, and
Third annual global fintech competition celebrates trail-blazing solutions for women’s financial inclusion NEW YORK, NY, October 12, 2021 — Women’s World Banking announced today Boost Capital and People’s Pension Trust as the winners of its Third Annual Fintech Innovation Challenge, part of the organization’s Making Finance Work for Women Thought
Enliven Indonesia’s Independence Day Through Digital Financial Service Education Program Jakarta, August 2021 – The informal sector, which comprises domestic workers, plays a critical role in Indonesia’s economy. Referring to Statistics Indonesia’s (BPS) data, there are 78.14 million informal workers as of February 2021, making up 60 percent of Indonesia’s
This award recognizes the growing leadership of women in fintech and their impact in advancing gender equality NEW YORK — September 27, 2021 – Women’s World Banking today announced Alexa Varsavsky, CEO and head of product, and Isabel Oriol, COO and head of business development, at ADA Impacto, as the
NEW YORK, September 15, 2021 – Women’s World Banking is pleased to announce the four finalists of its third annual Making Finance Work for Women Fintech Innovation Challenge. The finalists, chosen from a pool of applicants from 34 countries, represent a critical wave of innovative fintech solutions designed to support low-income women’s
Fintechs that Serve Unbanked and Underserved Women Encouraged to Apply NEW YORK – Today, Women’s World Banking announced that the application period is now open for the 2021 Fintech Innovation Challenge, a global competition that aims to highlight fintech innovations serving unbanked and underserved women in order to build women’s
Funding and support from data.org will facilitate data-driven projects for social impact around the world New York, NY (January 19, 2021): Today, data.org announced the eight global awardees of the $10 million Inclusive Growth and Recovery Challenge. Launched in partnership with the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth and The Rockefeller Foundation,
Important findings for post-COVD recovery show how a mix of financial and business support from Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) empowered women-owned MSMEs Nairobi, December 1, 2020 – Financial institutions need to tailor financial services to support women business customers and fuel women-led micro, small, and medium-sized enterprise (MSME) growth according
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s Connie Collingsworth and Microfund for Women’s Muna Sukhtian step down as Co-Chairs New York, October 23, 2020 — Women’s World Banking today announced a change in its board leadership, as Co-Chairs Connie Collingsworth, Chief Operating Officer of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), and
This renewed, four-year partnership will enable Women’s World Banking to accelerate its support for low-income women throughout Southeast Asia, with a focus on COVID-19 recovery and resilience New York, October 22, 2020 – Women’s World Banking announces that Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has renewed its support
Exploring Covid-19’s impact on women’s economic empowerment and building resilience through equitable and inclusive financial systems NEW YORK, NY — The Covid-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on gender equality, and years of progress could be reversed. From losing their jobs faster than men, to increases in domestic violence,
Press Release NEW YORK, September 24, 2020 – Women’s World Banking is pleased to announce the four finalists of its second annual Making Finance Work for Women Fintech Innovation Challenge. The finalists, chosen from a record-breaking pool of competitive and diverse applicants, represent an exciting new wave of innovative solutions
Women’s World Banking, AID:Tech, and Binance Charity Foundation sign memorandum of understanding (MOU) to design new technology platform to accelerate scale of Caregiver microinsurance product New York, USA – November 8, 2019 —Women’s World Banking, AID:Tech, and Binance Charity Foundation today announced a partnership to design a new technology platform
The organization celebrates its 40th anniversary with the inaugural FinTech Innovation Challenge, 18th Network Member Day, and launch of new She Counts cohort SINGAPORE—Global NGO Women’s World Banking brings its biennial international gathering, the Making Finance Work for Women Summit, to Singapore on 22-23 October 2019. The Summit features leading
Contact: Karen Miller klm@womensworldbanking.org +1.212.556.3149 Winners will participate in the Singapore FinTech Festival’s Global Hackcelerator Demo Day New York — Women’s World Banking announced the four finalists of its inaugural Making Finance Work for Women FinTech Innovation Challenge today. The finalists, chosen from more than 80 applications, represent FinTech solutions
Women’s World Banking has appointed four new leaders to its Board of Directors: Patsy Doerr, Martin Ihrig, Anjali Kumar, and Janet Truncale. Their expertise in growth strategies, finance, law, and leadership and diversity will contribute to the effective delivery of Women’s World Banking’s strategy of driving greater scale in providing access to finance to low-income women in the coming years.
MEDIA RELEASE April 2, 2019 Contact: Karen Miller, +1 212 556 3149 or klm@womensworldbanking.org Women’s World Banking and Alliance for Financial Inclusion gather Central Bankers and Senior Policymakers from around the world to kick off its inaugural Leadership and Diversity Program for Regulators Oxford, England – Women’s World
Women’s World Banking has appointed four new leaders to its Board of Directors: Patsy Doerr, Martin Ihrig, Anjali Kumar, and Janet Truncale. Their expertise in growth strategies, finance, law, and leadership and diversity will contribute to the effective delivery of Women’s World Banking’s strategy of driving greater scale in providing access to finance to low-income women in the coming years.
With support from MetLife Foundation, Women’s World Banking has partnered with Dutch-Bangla Bank (DBBL) to increase the usage of mobile financial services by low-income women in Bangladesh.
Global NGO Women’s World Banking today announced the launch of their Southeast Asia Advisory Council, a group of 13 high-profile leaders with the common goal of advancing women’s financial inclusion throughout the region.
Women’s World Banking, the Center for Global Development, and ExxonMobil Foundation launched She Counts, a global initiative convening and harnessing the power of financial service providers committed to serving women.
Aspen Institute México and Women’s World Banking host the first of a series of events focused on women’s financial inclusion in Mexico. This event is supported by the Prosperity Fund run by the British Embassy in Mexico City. For Immediate Release: March 8, 2018 Contact: Maura Hart, +1 212 556 3156
A collaboration amongst four Pakistan and multi-national organizations aims to enhance the availability of financial services to low-income women across Pakistan. The partnership brings together the technical expertise of Pakistan’s premiere mobile financial services provider JazzCash and consumer products giant Unilever Pakistan Limited.
Tanzanian Vice President H.E. Samia Suluhu Hassan joins biennial gathering of global leaders to advance financial inclusion for women For Immediate Release: October 24, 2017 Contact: Maura Hart, +1 212 556 3156 or meh@womensworldbanking.org DAR ES SALAAM—Global NGO Women’s World Banking brings its biennial international gathering, the Making Finance Work for Women
Diamond Bank today joins Women’s World Banking to host a global discussion on the role of digital financial services in empowering low-income women who do not have access to formal financial products. During a three-day workshop, discussants from the Central Bank of Nigeria, MTN Nigeria, Diamond Bank Plc, Jazz of Pakistan, BIMA of Cambodia and Women’s World Banking will examine the best practices in developing, enhancing and delivering world-class digital financial services to women.
Women’s World Banking adds three new senior positions, strengthening the global nonprofit’s leadership in addressing the most critical issues for women’s financial inclusion. With decades of experience in cutting edge technology, human-centered design and strategic partnerships, these three new leaders will help scale innovative, commercially viable financial solutions to meet women’s needs across regions and cultures.
JazzCash, Pakistan’s premiere financial services provider and global nonprofit Women’s World Banking announce a partnership to promote women’s financial inclusion across Pakistan. With funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the partners will work to increase low-income women’s adoption and use of digital financial services, particularly the JazzCash mobile account.
On International Women’s Day, Women’s World Banking announces that Banco de Ahorro y Crédito ADOPEM, S.A. (Banco ADOPEM) of the Dominican Republic receives the Excellence in Leadership Award. The award recognizes Banco ADOPEM’s commitment to promoting gender diversity among the organization’s staff, leadership and governance alongside its mission to serve low-income women.
Two new Co-Chairs take the helm as four leaders in financial services, business leadership and investing join global nonprofit devoted to giving more low-income women access to financial services.
National Microfinance Bank Plc (NMB) in collaboration with global nonprofit Women’s World Banking is launching WAJIBU, a family of youth savings accounts paired with a financial capability program designed to help youth and parents in schools across Tanzania save and manage money together for a bright future.
Jordan’s Microfund for Women and global nonprofit Women’s World Banking will host representatives from around the world for an intensive workshop on microinsurance in Amman. Microfund for Women, a Women’s World Banking network member, created the first private health microinsurance offering in Jordan.
Diamond Bank, in collaboration with ICT company, MTN and global nonprofit; Women’s World Banking, is unveiling the next phase of the Diamond Y’ello account through an innovative partnership aimed at deepening the financial inclusion of women in Nigeria.
Al Majmoua has received Women’s World Banking’s 2015 Excellence in Leadership Award. The award, supported by Oliver Wyman, recognizes Al Majmoua’s commitment to promoting gender diversity among the organization’s staff, leadership and governance alongside its mission to serve low-income women.
Leaders from finance, mobile technology, payments and consumer brands will join government representatives, microfinance pioneers and more in Berlin this week to examine the latest and most promising trends in financial services for low-income women. The Making Finance Work for Women Summit, hosted by global nonprofit Women’s World Banking, will take place November 11-12 at the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
Thirteen high-performing women employees from financial institutions around the world will join Women’s World Banking in Mumbai this week as part of a year-long Leadership and Diversity for Innovation Program.
Women’s World Banking is welcoming 14 senior leaders from financial institutions around the world to New York this week, kicking off a one-year Leadership and Diversity for Innovation Program.
Women’s World Banking’s membership to the Smart Campaign, global movement to embed a set of client-protection principles into the fabric of the microfinance industry, was highlighted.
Rural women in Malawi provide significant earning power within their families but so many of them have no access to a safe place to save their money. Through a new innovative mobile savings account, Malawi’s NBS Bank Ltd. is working with global nonprofit Women’s World Banking to bring banking to the doorsteps of local low-income communities and families.
Twelve high-profile African leaders, including Nigerian Finance Minister Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, have joined with global nonprofit Women’s World Banking to form a new advisory council with the common goal of bringing economic empowerment to low-income African women.
With support from global nonprofit Women’s World Banking, three financial institutions in Peru, Colombia and Paraguay are successfully tapping a historically under-served market: low-income rural women.
Today Women’s World Banking, in partnership with UNIFIM A.C. and supported by McGraw Hill Financial, is hosting an exclusive roundtable in Mexico City to discuss how well-designed individual microenterprise loans can grow Mexico’s financial services sector, extending much-needed credit and growth opportunities to low-income microentrepreneurs.
Women’s World Banking announced today that it has joined the Better Than Cash Alliance, committing to work with its 39 network members in 28 countries around the globe to ensure that at least one million low-income people shift to electronic money channels in the next five years.
Women’s World Banking hosts the Women in Leadership Program in Mexico City, Mexico. With support from MetLife Foundation, the five-day program aims to improve professional development among talented women microfinance leaders.
Under the patronage of Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah, stakeholders from around the world gather in Amman to promote financial inclusion for low-income women
With support from Citi Foundation, Women’s World Banking hosts women leaders from across South and Central Asia
Financial Sector Deepening Africa (FSD Africa) today announced a new partnership with global non-profit Women’s World Banking to bring 1.3 million people from Sub-Saharan Africa into the formal financial services sector for the first time.
Women’s World Banking today announced the 2013 recipient of the Excellence in Leadership Award, funded by the Citi Foundation. Microfund for Women (MFW), based in Jordan, is honored for building an institution that ensures that women are well-represented in the organization’s workforce, leadership and governance while maintaining its commitment to serve every ambitious woman.
