NextBillion - An Initiative of the William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan

Thursday, September 25, 2014

This week more than 1,000 leaders across industry, government and academia have come together at Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) to discuss new approaches to address complex global challenges. My passion is empowering women around the world and this includes access to financial services, a challenge that continues to be a top priority across my Foundation’s programmes. At CGI, the Cherie Blair Foundation for Womenmade a Commitment to Action in partnership with Visa, to facilitate greater financial inclusion for women.

With this commitment, 2,500 Nigerian women will become mobile banking agents in the agent network of First Bank Nigeria, to offer branchless banking services to the bank’s customers using mobile phones. These women agents will receive training and capacity building support through our partner on the ground, Youth for Technology Foundation. As agents, these women are expected to reach 75,000 Nigerians living in rural and underserved areas with mobile banking services.

Research shows that if you empower a woman, you empower a family, a community, and indeed a nation. This is because women invest 90% of what they earn back into their families’ health and education, making a lasting difference.