The Kaduna State Government is set to host a one-day Financial Inclusion Summit as part of its broader strategy to improve access to finance and digital empowerment for small businesses and underserved communities.
This initiative follows an executive order by Governor Uba Sani, aimed at creating a more inclusive financial ecosystem that supports small and medium enterprises (SMEs), marginalised groups, and the informal sector.
Speaking to newsmen in Kaduna, the State Commissioner of Finance and Chairman of the Financial Inclusion Committee, Ibrahim Mohammed, said the summit is expected to drive key conversations around enhancing financial literacy, expanding digital financial services, and strengthening the infrastructure for SME financing in the state.
The summit will feature a keynote address from Nigeria's Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, who is expected to outline the federal government's agenda for inclusive economic growth. Governor Uba Sani will also address the summit, highlighting Kaduna's progress and ongoing efforts to increase financial inclusion rates, particularly among women, youth, and small business owners.
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According to the commissioner, strategic presentations will come from major stakeholders including the Presidential Committee on Economic and Financial Inclusion, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
These sessions will explore how public-private partnerships can fast-track access to funding, digital payments, and financial education across rural and urban communities.
The summit aligns with Kaduna State's commitment to empowering local entrepreneurs, integrating more informal businesses into the financial system, and using technology to scale up economic participation.
With rising concerns over SME sustainability amid limited access to credit, the event is expected to shape policy direction and foster collaboration between the government, financial institutions, and development partners.
Stakeholders are hopeful that the outcomes of the summit will lead to actionable policies and investment commitments that help build a more inclusive economy, with SMEs as the engine for job creation and innovation in the state.
