Islamabad, July 7, 2025: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), has officially introduced the $500 million Women Entrepreneur Finance Code (We Finance Code) to lend loans to female-led businesses.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by SBP Governor Jameel Ahmad, Deputy Governor Saleemullah, and an ADB representative, and other heads of prominent local banks.
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The SBP governor highlighted that just 22 percent of women are part of the workforce, facing barriers such as limited mobility, restricted access to financing, and minimal use of digital banking platforms.
He announced that SBP has been designated as the National Code Champion of the We Finance program, with 20 banks already on board. The scheme will also involve financial entities, educational institutions, and the corporate sector to enhance its reach.
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Deputy Governor Saleemullah mentioned that SBP’s consistent efforts over the past 20 years have increased overall financial inclusion from 16 percent to 67 percent, though women still remain underserved.
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ADB’s Senior Finance Director, Christine, pointed out that women’s access to financial services in Pakistan is still below one-third, labeling it as an overlooked potential for the banking industry. She confirmed that through the We Finance Code, \$500 million in credit will be offered, aiming to benefit 100,000 women entrepreneurs.
