In a bid to deepen financial inclusion within Nigeria’s informal sector, the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CrediCorp), in collaboration with Sytiamo Technology Limited, has launched a credit initiative targeted at market women.

The programme kicks off with a pilot phase where 10,000 women are expected to benefit from inventory credit worth up to ₦100,000.

For many women who trade daily but struggle to access formal credit, this marks a significant shift.

“They sell every day. They hustle non-stop. But credit? Still out of reach for most market women,” CrediCorp said in an official statement.

Affordable Credit, Bigger Impact

The initiative is designed to provide inventory credit at affordable rates, allowing women to restock goods, increase daily turnover, and grow their small-scale enterprises.

By removing long-standing barriers that have kept many female traders out of the formal credit system, the programme aims to empower more women economically and stimulate local market growth.

CrediCorp also confirmed that while the pilot starts in one market, the programme will scale up to 224 markets across 28 states.

“Because when women grow, markets thrive,” the agency added.

Nationwide Target: 100,000 Women

The overarching goal is to reach 100,000 women nationwide, making it one of the largest direct credit interventions for informal women-led businesses in Nigeria.

This initiative is part of a broader push to build inclusive financial solutions that align with national development goals and promote grassroots economic growth.