The Alternative Bank recently hosted a significant high-level virtual convening to observe the International Day for Rural Women. This event brought together a diverse group of thought leaders, policymakers, and development partners with the aim of charting a path for development under the comprehensive theme: ‘Rural Women and MSMEs: Driving Sustainability, Strengthening Economies, Securing Our Shared Tomorrow.’ A pivotal moment during the event was the official launch of the Alternative Bank-Utiva Women in Tech Scholarship, an innovative initiative set to empower an inaugural cohort of 20 women entrepreneurs beginning November 2025.

Aligning with the global observances of the United Nations’ Rural Women’s Day, the occasion featured an inspiring array of speakers and sessions. These were carefully designed to celebrate, empower, and advocate for rural women across Nigeria and the broader African continent. Delivering the welcome remarks, Korede Demola-Adeniyi, Executive Director (South) of The Alternative Bank, passionately described the day as “a call to action.” She underscored the bank’s unwavering commitment to fostering an inclusive financial ecosystem specifically designed to empower women and strengthen communities.

Demola-Adeniyi eloquently articulated the critical role of rural women, stating, “Rural women are the heartbeat of food systems, the lifeline of families, and the silent architects of community resilience. Empowering rural women is a moral imperative as much as it is smart economics and a cornerstone of sustainable national growth.” She further emphasized the bank's open-door policy, pledging readiness to partner, finance innovative ideas, and co-create sustainable solutions that genuinely empower women and reinforce communities. She also reiterated the details of the newly launched Alternative Bank-Utiva Women in Tech Scholarship. This scholarship is designed to provide beneficiaries with essential digital skills, innovation design methodologies, and robust business growth training, thereby enabling them to significantly scale their enterprises and enhance their active participation in the burgeoning digital economy.

Eyitayo Ogunmola, the Chief Executive Officer of Utiva, conveyed profound optimism regarding the partnership’s potential to revolutionize access to digital opportunities for women. He asserted, “At Utiva, we believe that when women are equipped with the right digital skills, they don’t just transform their businesses they transform their communities.” Adding governmental support, Hon. Gift Johnbull, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (South-South), delivered a goodwill message. In this message, she reaffirmed the Federal Government’s steadfast commitment to the empowerment of women nationwide.

Further contributions came from the United Nations, with Osalobo Osemhenjie, Programme Specialist at UN Women, speaking on behalf of UN Women Country Representative, Ms. Beatrice Eyong. Osemhenjie highlighted the global body’s ongoing interventions in Nigeria, which include the provision of vital business kits, crucial rice milling equipment, and cost-effective biogas systems for women across multiple states. A significant highlight of the event was the thematic presentation delivered by Kemi Ayanda, an Economic Development and Trade Strategist for Africa and the Middle East. Her thought-provoking paper was titled ‘From Fields to Frontlines: Empowering Rural Women and Women MSMEs as Architects of Climate Resilience and Sustainable Prosperity.’

The Alternative Bank’s comprehensive commemoration of the International Day for Rural Women powerfully underscores its core mission. This mission is centered on driving sustainable, inclusive, and ethical finance models that are specifically tailored to unlock vast opportunities for women-led enterprises, strengthen local economies, and make a significant contribution to Nigeria’s long-term economic resilience.