ACCI Advocates Non-Interest Loans For Women-Owned Businesses, Tasks Women Entrepreneurs On Access To Information

The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has advocated for interest-free loans for women-owned businesses and women entrepreneurs to enable them add value and contribute meaningfully to national economic development.

The President of ACCI, Chief Emeka Obegolu, made the call in Abuja during a High-Level Roundtable on Mobilizing Non-Interest Funding for Women Businesses organized by the Banking, Insurance and Finance Trade Group of the Chamber in collaboration with the Women in Business Trade Group.
Chief Obegolu, who was represented by the 1st Deputy President of ACCI, Prof. Adesoji Adesugba, stressed the importance of non-interest loans for businesswomen in boosting productivity.
He noted that the Chamber would continue to advocate policies and initiatives that would enable women gain access to finance, business opportunities, and policy support aimed at promoting diversity and partnerships in business.
“At the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), we recognize that leadership must be purposeful and impact-driven. Our role as a Chamber goes beyond advocacy; we serve as a platform for collaboration, innovation, and practical solutions that strengthen the private sector and expand economic opportunities for all,” the ACCI President stated.
According to him, the engagement reflected the Chamber’s commitment to supporting women entrepreneurs.
“Women-owned Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are central to Nigeria’s economic development. They contribute significantly to job creation, stimulate innovation, and enhance community resilience. However, despite their vital role, many women entrepreneurs continue to face systemic barriers in accessing finance. Conventional financing models often impose high interest rates, stringent collateral requirements, and rigid conditions that limit their ability to grow and scale,” he said.
He further explained that non-interest financial systems, which are rooted in ethical, asset-backed and risk-sharing principles, provide inclusive financing options better suited to the realities of many small businesses. He added, however, that awareness remains limited while misconceptions continue to hinder adoption, making the roundtable timely and strategic.
“Through the collaborative efforts of the ACCI Banking, Insurance and Finance Trade Group and the Women in Business Trade Group, we have convened key stakeholders across the financial ecosystem — non-interest banks, microfinance institutions, fintech companies, regulators, and development partners — to engage directly with women entrepreneurs.
“Our objectives are clear: to deepen understanding of non-interest financial principles and products; create direct linkages between women entrepreneurs and funding institutions; demystify non-interest finance and build trust in its accessibility; equip participants with the knowledge and networks required to access funding; and generate actionable policy recommendations that will strengthen financial inclusion for women,” he stated.
Chief Obegolu described financial inclusion as not just a development goal but an economic necessity, stressing that when women have equal access to finance, businesses expand, families prosper, and economies become stronger and more inclusive.
He urged financial institutions to continue innovating and designing products that meet the needs of women-owned enterprises, while regulators should provide enabling frameworks that encourage growth, stability, and transparency. He also called on development partners to sustain support in capacity building and technical assistance.
“We, as a Chamber, will continue to act as a bridge — connecting entrepreneurs with opportunities, policy with practice, and ideas with implementation,” he added.
The ACCI President reaffirmed the Chamber’s commitment to promoting an inclusive business environment where women entrepreneurs can thrive without structural limitations.
He also encouraged participants to fully utilize the platform by engaging actively, asking questions, building partnerships, and exploring opportunities capable of transforming their businesses and the nation’s economy.
In his remarks, the Convener of the Roundtable, Yerima Dr. Iliyasu Gashinbaki, said the event was organized to promote non-interest funding for women-owned businesses and support their development.
Dr. Gashinbaki, who is also the Chairman of the ACCI Banking, Insurance and Finance Trade Group and Vice President Finance, said the event was designed to expose women to opportunities available in the banking sector regarding interest-free loans.
“The essence of today’s event is to bring together women in business to understand the huge financial potential in trillions of dollars that is yet to be unlocked in the banking industry. ACCI, in its wisdom, is working to ensure that women business owners and entrepreneurs effectively access these opportunities to grow their business ideas and contribute to national economic development,” he added.
Earlier, the Chairperson of the Women in Business Trade Group, Mrs. Chioma Njoku, called for a more enabling financial environment for women entrepreneurs to support the growth of Nigeria’s economy.
Mrs. Njoku also advised participants to effectively utilize the financial opportunities and benefits provided through the High-Level Roundtable for the development of their businesses.
The High-Level Roundtable, which attracted representatives of financial institutions and other stakeholders, also featured goodwill messages from dignitaries in both the public and private sectors.