Entourage Integrated Trust Limited has said that women now account for nearly 60 per cent of its loan portfolio, as part of efforts to support small-scale businesses across Nigeria.

The firm disclosed this in a statement, noting that it has expanded lending to female traders, artisans, and grassroots entrepreneurs in different parts of the country.

According to the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr Seyi Asagun, the move is deliberate and aimed at addressing financial exclusion among women.

He said, “When you finance a woman, you finance a family, and by extension, you finance a community. Women are the backbone of Nigeria’s informal economy, yet they are often the most financially excluded. We are committed to changing that.”

The company explained that in addition to credit, it has also introduced financial literacy programmes for women borrowers. The sessions, held in markets where the firm operates, cover areas such as record-keeping, inventory management, and managing seasonal cash flow.

The Deputy Managing Director, Mr Phillip Nkafuonye, added that many women already had the skills but lacked the knowledge to structure their businesses for sustainable growth.

In its latest internal survey, Entourage said more than 70 per cent of female borrowers reported higher household income within six months of accessing loans. Many, it noted, used the additional income to pay school fees, invest in health care, or expand their businesses.

The firm further revealed that it is developing a mobile platform to allow women to apply, track, and repay loans digitally while still maintaining its grassroots engagement.

“As the economy becomes more digital, our goal is to ensure no woman is excluded because of where she lives or the kind of business she runs,” Asagun added.