News
New blog: 3 Lessons from Crowdsourcing Digital Solutions for Improving MSMEs’ Access to Finance
Crowdsourcing can be an effective way to address pain points that limit micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), including women-led businesses, from obtaining financing. In this DevAsia article, gWFX and ADB’s IT Department share lessons learned from Fintech Innovation Challenges held in Pakistan, Nepal and Thailand to find and develop innovative technology solutions. Read more.
.png)
Webinar: Tapping into Fintech and AI Solutions to Better Serve SMEs
On 20 February, gWFX held a knowledge sharing session highlighting solutions and lessons from a recent Fintech Innovation Challenge focusing on Southeast Asia. The challenge explored how financial institutions can leverage technology solutions to successfully enable small businesses, including women entrepreneurs, to access finance more easily. The event featured an overview of the solution provided by the winning fintech company, Planto. Planto delivers AI-powered financial insights and cashflow analysis for SMEs to produce real-time forecasts and support credit decision-making. In partnership with ADB’s IT Department and the High-Level Technology Fund, gWFX has successfully completed three challenges.
MFL Launches Women’s SME Loan Product in Fiji
On 13 February, with ADB support, Merchant Finance Pte. Limited (MFL) launched an innovative loan product to boost access to finance for women-owned small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Fiji. The event was attended by Fiji Country Director Aaron Batten, who provided the keynote speech. The new loan product is tailored for women-owned SMEs and is backed by a dedicated department at MFL for women, Marama Finance. In December 2024, ADB signed a landmark agreement with MFL to boost access to finance for women’s businesses in Fiji. The product launch was featured in the Fiji Times. Read more here.
.jpeg)
Focus Groups for Capacity Building on Gender Sensitivity Training
On 12 February 2025, with support from gWFX, BankIslami conducted focus group discussions in Lahore, Pakistan, with staff and women customers. These discussions aim to enhance the bank’s understanding of the needs and interests of its women customers. The insights gathered will help strengthen the bank’s value proposition and improve customer relations with women customers including those who own businesses.
New fact sheet on Sustainable Finance Q&A for Financial Institutions by gWFX out now
Financial institutions face a number of risks and opportunities related to sustainable finance. This fact sheet, produced by the Women’s Finance Exchange, provides an introduction to the concept, dimensions and categories of sustainable finance. It delves into the question of how financial institutions can respond to physical and transition risks and set strategic targets. Read more here.
Watch our video on Gender Lens Investing for a Green Future
There is a great unmet need for financing for women-owned businesses in Asia and the Pacific that stands at billions of dollars. ADB’s Keiko Nowacka explains how the Women's Finance Exchange (gWFX) partners with financial institutions in the region to ensure that more capital and resources flow directly to women-owned businesses, including those in the green sector.
Joanna Romero, Lead Gender Finance Expert at gWFX, was featured in the FinEquity December 2024 Newsletter Member Spotlight. Read the interview to learn more about her work here.
Read our latest newsletter on Empowering Women Entrepreneurs in the Pacific
Women’s economic empowerment in the Pacific is an important priority for ADB. In this issue of the gWFX Dispatch, we shine a spotlight on initiatives to increase women’s access to finance in the region, featuring insights from Veilawa Rereiwasaliwa, CEO of Merchant Finance Pte Limited Fiji and Marla Munkh-Achit, Social Development Specialist (Gender and Development) at ADB.
Read and subscribe here.
ADB, Merchant Finance Pte Limited partner to support SMEs in Fiji
On 6 December, ADB signed an agreement with Merchant Finance Pte Limited (MFL) to support inclusive access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Fiji at ADB headquarters in Manila. ADB’s $4 million loan in local currency will be used to support SMEs in Fiji, with 75% of proceeds earmarked for women-owned SMEs. This is ADB’s first private sector transaction in the finance sector in Fiji. This transaction was supported by the Women Entrepreneurs’ Finance Initiative (We-Fi) through the WAVES program in the Pacific. Read the news release.
Sex-disaggregated Data for Financial Institutions
How can sex-disaggregated data help financial institutions support women entrepreneurs? Joanna Romero, Lead Gender Finance Expert at Women’s Finance Exchange, explains why it is critical and how the WE Finance Code initiative is encouraging the use of data to empower women-owned businesses.
Financial institutions are recognizing their important role in a just green transition.
Women’s Finance Exchange Lead Sabine Spohn discusses the enthusiasm for this topic demonstrated at a gWFX UNEP FI seminar held recently in Manila.
ADB Private Sector Operations Department Events at COP29 Highlight Transition Finance
On 13 November, ADB’s Private Sector Operations Department (PSOD) and the ADB Institute (ADBI) jointly hosted an event entitled ‘Accelerating the Path to Net Zero: Financial Regulators’ Role in Transition Finance’ at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan. ADB and Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group also jointly presented a draft research paper, ‘Unveiling Transition Finance: Financial Sector’s Perspective’, at COP29, which examines existing frameworks, initiatives, and practices related to transition finance, highlighting factors that hinder growth of transition finance from the financial sector’s perspective. This was followed by a roundtable with regional finance and private sector stakeholders.
gWFX, UNEP FI Host Roundtable on Green Transition Finance
On 16 October, we held a roundtable on Demystifying Green Transition Finance at ADB Headquarters in Manila. Over 70 representatives from financial institutions across the Philippines attended the discussion, which was organized in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative. Ellen Joyce L. Suficiencia, Director, Sustainability Office at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, set the scene for the event from the country context perspective. Speakers included UNEP FI’s APAC Policy Lead, Laura Canas Da Costa; Standard Chartered Singapore’s Sustainable Finance Managing Director and Head of Strategic Initiatives, Jaclyn Dove; and GreenFi Co-founder Barun Chandran. Participants discussed key principles and challenges of the green transition, good practices, and available tools and frameworks.
We acknowledge the support of the Bankers Association of the Philippines on this event. This event was funded by the Financial Sector Development Partnership Special Fund with funding from the Government of Luxembourg.
Investing in Women to Scale Climate Solutions
Women are more likely to start businesses with a sustainable focus, but they continue to face barriers to accessing the financing they need. Currently, only 3 percent of climate investment goes to women-led businesses.
ADB's private sector department supports financial institutions to develop investment products tailored for women and green finance, and the Women’s Finance Exchange (gWFX) promotes gender-inclusive green initiatives and works with financial institutions to provide financing for women entrepreneurs. Learn more about integrating a gender lens in sustainable finance in this ADB brief and the 2X Gender and Climate Toolkit.
Empowering Pacific Women-Owned Businesses: gWFX Training and Mentoring Program Kicks Off in Fiji
With support from the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative (We-Fi), gWFX is empowering women-owned businesses in the Pacific through targeted training and mentoring programs. This initiative kicked off in Suva, Fiji on 4 September, with a training session led by our partners at Business Assistance Fiji. The training was attended by 39 participants, including representatives from financial institutions. In Samoa, training will take place on 10 and 24 September. The program will also be offered in Tonga in October.
Fiji was a recent signatory to the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Code, a multi-stakeholder initiative that aims to eliminate constraints and financing gaps for women entrepreneurs by collaborating with policymakers and financial institutions.
The training explores innovative solutions, best practices, and practical tools to help women-owned businesses overcome financial hurdles. Our expert trainers are sharing insights on:
-
Building financial literacy and budgeting skills
-
Digital finance opportunities
-
Accessing funding opportunities and networks
Fiji TV, one of the leading television broadcasters in Fiji and the Pacific, covered the training program. View the coverage here. The Fiji Times, one of the leading local newspapers, also covered the session. Read the article here.
.jpg)
Financial Leaders in Fiji Endorse Women Entrepreneurs Finance Code
On 27 August, financial leaders from Westpac, Merchant Finance Ltd., South Pacific Business Development, and the South Pacific Stock Exchange formally signed on to the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Code at a ceremony hosted by the Reserve Bank of Fiji, in partnership with ADB. The Code, coordinated by the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative (We-Fi), is a commitment from multiple financial ecosystem players, including regulators and development banks, to increase funding to women-led micro, small and medium enterprises. Fiji was one of the first countries to adopt the Code in March. With support from We-Fi, gWFX is conducting training for financial institutions in Fiji as part of the new Women Entrepreneurs: Data Advancing Transformative Access to Finance (WE DATA) initiative.
Read more here.
gWFX Knowledge Series exclusively for members
The materials and recording for the three sessions of the knowledge series are now available here.
If you are not a gWFX member yet, you are welcome to sign up here as a member to access the sessions.
Sex-disaggregated Data Management Toolkit for Financial Institutions
Sex-disaggregated data (SDD)—data collected separately for males and females—drives the business case for, and is essential in, targeting the women’s market. Use this toolkit to gain insights into the steps for ensuring effective SDD management for financial institutions. It includes best practices and case studies demonstrating how to gather, analyze, and apply data to create customized solutions for women entrepreneurs.
The toolkit can be used in two ways: 1) As a guide for building effective gender data management systems at a financial institution; and 2) As a customizable training workshop material that can be applied to different audiences.
The toolkit includes:
1. A PowerPoint presentation in PDF format.
2. A facilitator’s guide for financial institution members who wish to use this content or portions of this content for internal training.
We-Fi Impact Story: Empowering Women Entrepreneurs in Papua New Guinea Through Digital Tools and Access to Finance
Women in Papua New Guinea face the highest financial inclusion gender gap in the South Pacific at 29%. This article tells the story of Bernadette Patmou and other women entrepreneurs who were able to access financial training and a tailored loan program through the WAVES initiative, provided by ADB’s Women’s Finance Exchange (gWFX) and supported by the Women Entrepreneurs’ Finance Initiative (We-Fi).
The program has reached close to 250 women’s small businesses in the Pacific. Read more here.
New Publication: Leveraging Fintech for Women Entrepreneurs in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Viet Nam
Women-owned micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (WMSMEs) are an essential underbanked segment that can benefit from fintech innovations.
This report examines how fintech improves access to finance for WMSMEs in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Viet Nam and discusses the steps stakeholders can take to make fintech solutions more inclusive and user-friendly for women entrepreneurs.
Read and download here.
Visa Learning Materials Now Available to gWFX Members
Interested in helping your clients to improve their financial and entrepreneurial literacy?
Through our knowledge partnership with Visa, gWFX members can now access Visa’s Practical Business Skills and Practical Learning Skills.
If you are a member, find more information here.
If you are not yet a member, please sign up now.
Newsletter Release: Sustainable Finance Opportunities in Georgia
On 20 July, we released our latest quarterly newsletter that shines a spotlight on Georgia’s sustainable finance opportunities.
This May, Georgia hosted the Asian Development Bank (ADB)’s Annual Meeting for the first time. The meeting, under the theme “Bridge to the Future,” focused on key development issues facing Asia and the Pacific, including climate change and sustainability. Many sectors in the country that are vulnerable to climate risks also present opportunities for green investment, such as climate smart agriculture.
CAREC Women’s Empowerment Online Platform
On 8 April, the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Program launched the CAREC Women’s Empowerment Online Platform (WEOP). WEOP is a new digital space that aims to empower women in CAREC member countries (Azerbaijan, People’s Republic of China, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan) by providing capacity development resources, opportunities for networking, knowledge sharing, and collaboration.
WEOP content is available in three languages: English, Russian and Chinese.
Fiji WE Finance Code Workshop for Financial Institutions
On 26 March, we held a workshop on the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Code (“WE Finance Code” or simply “the Code”) for banks and credit institutions in Suva, Fiji, following the official launch of the Code on 23 March. The workshop was attended by financial institutions, who learned more about the Code and its capacity building program for financial institutions. The workshop elaborated on the business case for sex-disaggregated data. Participants learned about leading practices and use cases on how to collect, analyze and use data for tailored solutions for women.
gWFX Gender Finance Expert Receives ADB Shireen Lateef Gender Equality Award for Gender Bond Brief
Joanna Romero, gWFX Lead Gender Finance Expert, was awarded the Shireen Lateef Gender Equality Award, together with Gisela Garzon de la Roza, for Best Gender Knowledge Product for the ADB Brief on Gender Bonds in Asia and the Pacific – Gender Bonds: From Incidental to Center Stage. The brief was recognized for promoting the importance of gender bonds as the next frontier in sustainable finance to create long-term impact on women’s economic empowerment and the broader gender equality objectives. The Shireen Lateef Gender Equality Operations Awards are given annually to teams and individuals at ADB who have contributed significantly to advancing ADB’s gender equality work.
Fintech Innovation Challenge: Leveraging AI for MSMEs in Thailand
Want to make a difference in the Thai business landscape? Join the Fintech Innovation Challenge by the Women’s Finance Exchange, an initiative of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and share your hashtag#AI-powered toolbox solutions! Empower hashtag#MSMEs to thrive and grow with innovative technology.
Seeking AI solutions to streamline:
· Financial management [Must Have]
· CRM enhancement [Good to Have]
· Credit scoring [Good to Have]
Why Join:
Selected solutions stand to receive up to US$75,000 in seed funding and gain exposure in ADB's technology solutions marketplace. Seize this opportunity to showcase your innovation and make a lasting impact on Thailand's MSME sector.
How to Apply:
Don't miss out on this chance to be a catalyst for change. Apply now at https://gG4NH9hp before April 15th.
Let's unlock the full potential of AI to drive economic empowerment and foster a culture of innovation in Thailand. Together, we can shape a brighter future for businesses and communities alike.
.png)
Digital Financial Inclusion for Women Entrepreneurs in Nepal
Share your tech solution to help women entrepreneurs in Nepal access the finance they need to thrive.
Women in Nepal struggle to access finance to help them build their businesses and secure their livelihoods because they often lack the required paperwork and collateral.
The Women’s Finance Exchange, an initiative of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), is collaborating with a financial institution in Nepal to seek out innovative and creative technology solutions through the Technology Innovation Challenge: Digital Financial Inclusion for Women’s Businesses in Nepal.
What we are looking for:
- We are seeking out technology solutions or applications that can help financial institutions analyze alternative data points and provide alternative credit scoring models.
- Access to real-time data insights can expand lending to women entrepreneurs in Nepal, making a big difference in their lives.
Join our challenge and provide your solution to make a real impact for women-led businesses in Nepal!
Enter the Technology Innovation Challenge for Nepal here: https://lnkd.in/gqi2S8ju
Apply by 31 January
The winning technology solution provider will win USD 50,000 in seed funding towards evolving the solution to the bank’s needs. The finalists and other participating solutions will be part of ADB’s technology solutions portfolio.