HomeNet, SBP join hands to boost women entrepreneurs’ financial inclusion

September 10, 2026 (MLN): HomeNet Pakistan (HNP), in partnership with the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), held a policy dialogue in Karachi focused on promoting the economic empowerment and formalization of women micro-entrepreneurs.

The dialogue featured participation from SBP, commercial and microfinance banks, the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA), and other stakeholders, with discussions centered on improving financial inclusion and supporting women-led informal businesses in their transition toward the formal economy.

Speaking at the event, HomeNet Pakistan Executive Director Ume Laila Azhar called for stronger coordination between financial institutions, regulators and women entrepreneurs at the community level to address barriers limiting their access to financial services.

Additional Director SBP Imran Ahmad, in his keynote address, highlighted the central bank’s efforts to expand women’s financial inclusion. He outlined various policies, financial products and measures aimed at improving women’s access to formal financial services and increasing their participation in economic activities.

During the technical session, Ume Laila Azhar presented experiences from the Financial Inclusion of Home-based Workers’ Enterprises through Business Booster Loan and Trainings (FBLT) initiative, which supported 500 women informal entrepreneurs in Lahore and Karachi through capacity building, improved financial access and greater engagement with financial institutions.

The Women Informal Entrepreneurs Bottleneck Study was also presented during the session, highlighting challenges concerning awareness, availability, affordability, accessibility and adequacy of financial services for women entrepreneurs.

Representatives from Faysal Bank, Bank Alfalah, HBL, HBL Microfinance Bank, U Bank, Mobilink Bank, National Bank of Pakistan, SMEDA and SBP took part in a roundtable discussion on expanding financial inclusion for women-led businesses.

The participants stressed the need for coordinated efforts among regulators, financial institutions, development organizations and community-level stakeholders to address barriers faced by women micro-entrepreneurs.

The discussion further highlighted the importance of financial and digital literacy, customized financial products, business development assistance and continued institutional engagement to support the formalization and sustainable growth of women-led enterprises.

Copyright Mettis Link News