Trade Lenda commits $10m to expand credit access for women entrepreneurs

…marks 4 years of financial inclusion impacts

Trade Lenda, a digital platform driving financial inclusion, has committed $10 million to expand credit access to women entrepreneurs in Africa’s most populous nation, while bridging financing gap and empowering their businesses.

The initiative is a testament of the organisation’s four years commitment in driving economic empowerment and financial inclusion for women.

Adeshina Adewumi, co-founder of Trade Lenda, who made this known during the organisation’s event to mark its four years of driving the country’s financial inclusion, said Trade Lenda is working to become a full-fledged financial institution to deepen its role in the country’s financial landscape.

Speaking on the organisation’s four years of impact, Adewumi said its mission of democratise access to finance for the underserved small and medium-scale businesses across Nigeria, Africa and the emerging market was clear from the beginning when Trade Lena commences its operation.

According to him, the organisation has disbursed credit to a vast network of traders, women-led cooperatives, and rural entrepreneurs.

He noted that Trade Lenda technology has bridged gaps where traditional banks fall short. “We have always believed that inclusive finance is the foundational curtain that we need for a thriving economy,” he said.

“In just four years, we have enabled thousands of small and medium-scale businesses with access to credit,” he added, saying the initiative has also empowered women who are not just beneficiaries but builders of the economy.

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“But beyond these milestones, we have transformed the lives of various people, from a single mother who has been able to expand her provision store to a young farmer in parts of the state or across the nation who has been able to increase the work we have done over the years.”

Trade Lenda’s track record goes beyond credit, the organisation is investing in financial literacy, building trust in underserved communities, and opening up access through tech tools designed for inclusion.

“We are evolving from just a financial access platform to becoming an activist for shared economic prosperity,” Adewumi said.

He noted that Trade Lenda’s partnerships with development financial institutions and grassroots organisations has enable it deliver support to women excluded financially.

He called for more support to scale the organisation’s solutions. “Let’s align around a shared vision where no hard-working entrepreneur is excluded from opportunities because of where they live, their gender, their religion, or the lack of formal collateral.”

“To our partners in government, we need policies that prioritise access and affordability.” “Our call today is not just for celebration; it is for alignment. Let’s finance the future of inclusion with intentional capital.”

In a panel discussion, experts stressed the urgent need for institutional reform to support women led businesses.

“It hasn’t been easy accessing funds especially if you are in Nigeria and you are a woman,” said Adeyinka Tekena, founder of Happy Coffee Nigeria.

“Trade Lender opens opportunity for women founders and create a platform that provides them new level of networks,” she said.