Moniepoint, others empower women, PLWDs in financial literacy

In a bid to enhance financial literacy and strengthen online business security for women entrepreneurs and People Living with Disabilities (PLWDs), a fintech company Moniepoint, in collaboration with ACIOE Associates and Tech4Dev, organised a workshop equipping participants in financial planning, budgeting, cybersecurity, and safe online payment practices.

The two-day workshop, held in Abuja with over 100 participants, targeted small and micro-enterprise owners, placed emphasis on advancing gender inclusion, and also highlighted the need for financial literacy and cyber hygiene as tools to empower vulnerable groups, particularly women.

According to organisers, the initiative is crucial in addressing the low levels of financial literacy that persist in many parts of the world, especially Nigeria, which can hinder economic growth and financial inclusion.

They maintained that improving women’s financial literacy would enable them to make informed decisions, access financial services and build wealth, ultimately contributing to gender equality and economic empowerment.

Group Chief Executive Officer, Moniepoint Inc., Tosin Eniolorunda, noted that businesses are vital cogs in the wheels of economic growth, development and job creation.
According to him, financial literacy is key to achieving social and economic inclusion, particularly for women seeing that when women understand financial concepts, they are better equipped to manage their finances, access financial services, and build wealth.

The move, he said in turn, gives them the impetus to pursue their entrepreneurial aspirations and contribute more significantly to the economy.

He urged that there is a need to provide a platform for ensuring that many businesses could survive and thrive beyond the five-year mark, considering that 80 per cent of businesses, especially those in the informal sector have been operating for less than five years.
“The link between financial literacy and financial inclusion has become an international policy concern, this is our way of contributing to the conversation, powering the dreams of this vulnerable group and doing what needs to be done to support Nigeria’s socio-economic aspirations,” he said.

Managing Partner, ACIOE Associates, an advisory services firm, Innocent Isichei, noted that businesswomen and PWLDs are vulnerable to online threats.

He said by building a secure digital ‘fortress,’ women could confidently navigate the online environment, safeguard their businesses, and leverage technology for growth.

According to him, beyond online safety, achieving economic empowerment for women requires addressing significant financial literacy and access challenges.

He said: “These challenges include limited financial knowledge, restricted access to credit, societal barriers, and gender-based discrimination within the financial sector. ACIOE Associates recognises these critical needs and that is why we have partnered with Moniepoint and Tech4Dev to offer this comprehensive two-day workshop.”

Via a series of practical sessions, participants learned essential skills in budgeting, saving, and investment strategies tailored to small business needs.

The programme also covered vital cyber hygiene practices to protect businesses from data breaches, phishing scams, and malware attacks while learning how to leverage technology for business expansion and maintaining a secure online presence.