Gender parity will boost financial inclusion, economic growth – CBN Governor, Emefiele

Godwin Emefiele, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, has said supporting gender parity will boost financial inclusion and the country’s economic growth.

Emefiele disclosed this on Thursday in his speech at the CBN’s International Women’s Day webinar, where he called for leverage on technology to bridge the digital gender gap.

According to him, the apex bank would continue to ensure its commitment to women through the Micro Small and Medium Enterprises Development Fund (MSMEDF) and other initiatives.

He explained that the MSMEDF dedicates 60 per cent of its funding under the scheme to women-owned enterprises.

Emefiele added that the successes achieved by CBN are attributed to the female staff’s hard work, resilience, and commitment nationwide.

The Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mariam Katagu; the Deputy Governor of CBN, Mrs Aishah Ahmad; the pioneering Minister of Communication Technology, Dr Omobola Johnson, and others, called for the participation of women in the digital economy ecosystem.

The webinar had more than 1,000 participants in attendance across diverse sectors of Nigeria’s economy