Moniepoint Inc., in partnership with ACIOE Associates and Tech4Dev, recently held a two-day intensive session in Abuja with the goal of improving financial literacy and bolstering online business security for women entrepreneurs and People Living with Disabilities (PLWDs).
With more than 100 participants, the program’s goal was to address the growing need for digital security and financial education in an increasingly online business environment. Through a series of interactive activities and practical sessions, small and microbusiness owners gained important insights into cybersecurity, budgeting, financial planning, and safe online payment practices.
To empower vulnerable populations, especially women, the training also focused on promoting gender inclusion, emphasising the need of financial literacy and cyber hygiene. The initiative’s organisers say it is essential to tackling the low financial literacy that still exists in many countries, including Nigeria, which can impede financial inclusion and economic growth.
Research has indicated a connection between financial literacy and enhanced access to formal savings, basic financial services, and overall economic growth, BrandSpur Nigeria news today reports.
Enhancing women’s financial literacy, according to the workshop’s organisers, would empower them to access financial services, make wise decisions, and accumulate wealth—all of which will ultimately support economic empowerment and gender equality.
According to Tosin Eniolorunda, Moniepoint Inc.’s Group CEO: “Businesses are vital cogs in the wheels of economic growth, development and job creation. Financial literacy is key to achieving social and economic inclusion, particularly for women seeing that when women understand financial concepts, they are better equipped to manage their finances, access financial services, and build wealth. This in turn gives them the impetus to pursue their entrepreneurial aspirations and contribute more significantly to the economy.”
Continuing, he had this to say: “Against the backdrop of our recently launched Informal Economy Report, there is a need to provide a platform for ensuring that many businesses can survive and thrive beyond the five-year mark considering that eighty percent of businesses especially those in the informal sector have been operating for less than five years. Also, the link between financial literacy and financial inclusion has become an international policy concern, this is our own way of contributing to the conversation, powering the dreams of this vulnerable group and doing what needs to be done to support Nigeria’s socio-economic aspirations.”
According to Innocent Isichei, Managing Partner of ACIOE Associates, an advisory services company offering a wide range of solutions for different industries: “Businesswomen and PWLDs are especially vulnerable to online threats. By building a secure digital ‘fortress,’ women can confidently navigate the online environment, safeguard their businesses, and leverage technology for growth. Beyond online safety, achieving economic empowerment for women requires addressing significant financial literacy and access challenges.
“These challenges include limited financial knowledge, restricted access to credit, societal barriers, and gender-based discrimination within the financial sector. ACIOE Associates recognizes these critical needs and that’s why we have partnered with Moniepoint and Tech4Dev to offer this comprehensive two-day workshop,” he added.
Along with teaching participants how to use technology to grow their businesses while keeping a safe online presence, the program also covered essential cyber hygiene procedures to shield companies against malware assaults, phishing scams, and data breaches.
Participants gained fundamental knowledge of saving, investing, and budgeting techniques specific to small company requirements through a series of hands-on workshops. They praised the organisers for their clear dedication to helping PLWDs and women achieve economic empowerment by giving them the tools they need to thrive in a complicated and more digital environment.
