Accion MfB Empowers Female Entrepreneurs with Digital Skills for Financial Inclusion

Building on the success of its inaugural edition, Accion Microfinance Bank has reaffirmed its commitment to women’s empowerment and financial inclusion with the second edition of its Digital Skills Bootcamp for Women.

The program is designed to equip female entrepreneurs and business owners with essential digital and financial literacy skills, enabling them to grow their businesses, improve financial management, and access funding opportunities for long-term economic independence.

Held on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at the bank’s Head Office, the bootcamp featured insightful presentations from professionals in the finance and business sectors, each delivering practical knowledge to help the participants thrive in an increasingly digital world.

One of the keynote speakers, Joy Nwalie, Area Manager, Accion MfB (Lagos West Region), delivered an engaging session on financial literacy and business growth.

She emphasized key strategies for financial management, savings, and investment, empowering women to build sustainable businesses.

In her words, “We have to think about the future in whatever we do in life. If you understand your interest, your income, the profit you make in your business, and manage your account deliverables, you will be better positioned for success.”

Following this, Paul Ehiagbonare, Chief Digital Officer of Accion MfB, spoke on digital finance transformation, highlighting the role of digital banking and fintech solutions in driving financial inclusion.

He urged participants to embrace digital tools for seamless transactions and financial security, stating: “One of the first steps to safeguarding your finances is ensuring that your card PIN is strong and not easily guessed. Create a unique, unpredictable PIN that only you can remember.”

The third speaker, Ogunseye Bolatito, an external facilitator and renowned fashion designer, shared practical insights on leveraging digital channels to attract customers and grow a service-based business.

She demonstrated how entrepreneurs can use social media, e-commerce platforms, and digital marketing strategies to expand their reach and drive sales.

“Your business is only as visible as the effort you put into marketing it online. In today’s world, digital presence equals business growth. But remember, your target audience is not everybody. You need to identify your ideal customers, understand their needs, and create content that speaks directly to them,” she advised.

She also encouraged the participants to embrace video content, as visual storytelling and digital engagement are essential for effective marketing and customer retention.

The event was met with enthusiasm, as participants engaged in interactive sessions. One of the attendees, Cecilia Ugomma, an online wig vendor, highlighted the impact of the session.

“This program was truly enlightening and impactful for me. I now understand the importance of maintaining a financial trail for loan applications, and I am incredibly grateful to Bolatito for her insightful session. She opened my eyes to new ways of leveraging online platforms to grow my business.”

Another participant, Omotola Ajala, a fishery business entrepreneur, expressed her gratitude for the initiative, highlighting its impact on her business and future plans.

“I want to sincerely thank Accion for this incredible opportunity to learn. The session on housing loans particularly caught my attention, as I am currently working on a project where this would be highly beneficial. I have also gained valuable insights that I can share with my colleagues at work. I truly hope the bank continues to organize more initiatives like this to empower entrepreneurs like me.”

Another attendee, Irene Okafor, a fashion designer, shared her excitement about the practical lessons from the bootcamp: “It is always a pleasure attending this digital skills bootcamp because I walk away with new tools and strategies to improve my business and content creation.

“Today’s session was particularly impactful, as we had a fellow business owner share real-world insights, and she truly over-delivered.

“I am grateful to Accion for organizing such an empowering program.”

The second edition of the Digital Skills Bootcamp reaffirms Accion MfB’s commitment to bridging the digital divide and advancing financial inclusion for women-led businesses.

As the economy becomes increasingly digital, empowering women with the right skills is not just an investment in their businesses but a vital step toward national economic growth.