SEC pledges to address financial disparity for women

The commitment of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to ensure the financial inclusion of women in all sectors has been reiterated during the She’s Included Gender Inclusion Conference and Summit 2025. The theme of this event, “Breaking Barriers, Building Resilience for Sustainable Economic and Financial Inclusion,” underscores the SEC’s determination to create a financial ecosystem that empowers women.

As the apex regulator of Nigeria’s capital market, the SEC operates with a dual mandate – to regulate and develop the market. Mrs. Samiya Usman, the SEC’s Executive Commissioner for Corporate Services, emphasized the pivotal role that financial inclusion plays in national development. She stressed that a financially empowered woman contributes to a prosperous economy as an empowered household is the foundation of economic growth.

Over the years, the SEC has taken deliberate steps to ensure that the Nigerian capital market caters to the unique financial needs of women. Through policy advocacy, regulatory frameworks, and partnerships, the SEC encourages the development of women-focused financial products and services. For example, United Capital’s Women Wealth for Women Fund and tailored investment solutions designed by some capital market operators are aimed at empowering women with wealth creation opportunities.

The SEC has also actively promoted Investor Education for Women through webinars and targeted financial literacy programs for market women, SMEs, and women-led businesses. Thousands of women have gained the necessary knowledge to participate meaningfully in the capital market through these initiatives.

Despite the progress made, barriers persist that hinder women’s full participation in the financial sector. These barriers range from cultural limitations to financial literacy gaps, inadequate access to credit, and the predominance of informal economic activities among women. In Northern Nigeria, financial exclusion remains a significant concern, highlighting the need to intensify efforts to bridge the gap.

Mrs. Usman emphasized the importance of knowledge and financial empowerment in ensuring economic progress for communities. She urged stakeholders to collaborate in dismantling these barriers, with the SEC committed to strengthening collaboration to drive gender-focused financial inclusion policies, encourage financial institutions to introduce products tailored to women’s needs, expand investor education programs, and support women-led businesses and SMEs in accessing capital market financing for growth and sustainability.

The SEC commended the organizers of the She’s Included Gender Inclusion Conference for their impactful event and thought-provoking theme. This aligns with the SEC’s mission to build a capital market that serves all segments of society, ensuring that no one is left behind in the quest for economic empowerment. The commitment of the SEC to fostering financial inclusion, empowering women, and strengthening economic resilience remains unwavering.