Shettima launches women's business support fund in Katsina as government approves extra N4bn

Vice President Kashim Shettima on Sunday launched the Community Investment Fund under the Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up in Katsina State.

At the event held at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium, Mr Shettima said over 40,000 women in the state are expected to get business capital after meeting the programme's requirements and showing good performance in savings and group activities.

Governor Dikko Radda stated that Katsina State has contributed more than N4 billion to the programme so far. He added that the State Executive Council approved another N4 billion last month.

"Katsina State is matching every dollar given by the World Bank to support the women in the state," Mr Radda said. "So far, Katsina State has contributed over four billion naira for this project and approval last month of another four billion was done by the Executive Council of the state."

The Community Investment Fund offers money to women organized under Women Affinity Groups to start or grow businesses and engage in other income-generating activities.

Mr Shettima said this effort aims to improve women’s access to funds and boost household incomes. He noted that just getting funding won’t ensure lasting businesses and urged beneficiaries to stick to saving habits and keep proper records.

"We should ask whether businesses become stronger, household earnings improve, and additional work becomes available," he said.

The vice president also told officials managing the fund to make sure that eligibility, not favoritism or politics, decides who gets support.

"A beneficiary should understand what she receives and how the process works. Each transaction should be properly documented and questions should receive prompt answers," he said.

Mr Radda said the rollout is starting in Katsina, Funtua, and Daura local government areas. He mentioned that the state government has expanded the programme to six more LGAs and plans to increase funding to cover all local governments in the state.

The governor explained that the flag-off event marked the start of the disbursement process.

"Women Affinity Groups that are not receiving their grants today should remain confident that the process will continue," he said.

"All eligible groups will be considered for support as they mature and satisfy the programme’s set requirements."

Mr Radda asked the World Bank and other partners for more funds and support to help the state reach more women across its 34 LGAs. He also noted that women with hearing impairments have formed their own Women Affinity Groups.

He stressed that people with disabilities should have equal access to economic programmes and urged beneficiaries to invest the funds in solid businesses, keep good records, and continue saving through their groups.

World Bank highlights economic benefits

A representative from the World Bank, Matthew Verghis, said closing gender gaps in farming, self-employment, and wage jobs could add $22.9 billion to Nigeria’s economy. This is about 5.8 percent of the country’s GDP.

"This gives us a clear message: investing in women is investing in Nigeria’s economic growth," he said.

Mr Verghis mentioned that the $540 million Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up is active in 32 states and aims to directly help five million women, with many more expected to benefit indirectly. He said the programme is set to create around 4.5 million jobs.

He added that participating women have saved over N20 billion through their groups. Mr Verghis praised Katsina’s commitment to match investments under the programme with state funds, which allows for wider coverage.

He encouraged banks, tech firms, and other businesses to see Women Affinity Groups as potential customers and partners, not just as recipients of public support.

"The ultimate objective is not ongoing reliance on public or donor financing," he said. "The goal is to help women build sustainable businesses that can secure funding, compete in markets, create jobs, and stand on their own."

The Commissioner for Women Affairs, Aisha Malumfashi, shared that women in Katsina and Daura LGAs have set up over 2,393 Women Affinity Groups, with Funtua also seeing more group formations.

She said these women have collectively saved more than N310 million. The commissioner urged beneficiaries to use the funds wisely for their businesses and to keep saving through their groups.

Mr Shettima was in Katsina for a one-day official visit, where he also launched road projects and introduced mass-transit vehicles provided by the state government.