Enhancing Women’s Access to Finance

Online event Register here. 

This live webinar is a side event of the 21st Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme Partnership Platform (CAADP PP) and the 16th Africa Day for Food and Nutrition Security (ADFNS), held from 29 to 31 October 2025.

Co-organised by FAO, ITC, CORAF, Vision Fund International, Pan African Savings and Loans, and the African Management Institute, the event will explore promising and scalable approaches to enhance women’s access to finance in agrifood systems, which is a cornerstone of the CAADP Kampala Agenda for inclusive and transformative growth.

Women represent nearly half of Africa’s agrifood workforce but continue to face significant financial barriers that limit their ability to grow agribusinesses, access new markets, or scale operations. This session will share practical lessons, innovative financing models, and policy reforms that can bridge the financing gap and unlock women’s entrepreneurial potential.

Participants will gain insights from successful initiatives addressing both the demand and supply sides of agricultural finance, including investor-readiness programs, mentorship and coaching, as well as the design of inclusive financial products and guarantee schemes tailored to women-led micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Speakers:

• Ron Osman, Director of Industry, Minerals, Entrepreneurship and Tourism, AU

• Bethel Terefe, Senior Gender Expert, FAO

• Mumbi Maina, Senior Access to Finance Officer, ITC

• Mariame Maiga, Regional Gender and Social Development Adviser, CORAF

• Karen Chama, Resource Development and Management Director, Vision Fund International

• Sarah Annam, Gender and Inclusion Manager, Pan African Saving and Loans

• Prince Oppong, Senior Programme Manager, African Management Institute

Register