Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – The National Bank of Ethiopia is proud to announce the official launch of the Network of Ethiopia’s Women in Finance (NEWFin), a pioneering initiative designed to bridge the gender gap in leadership within Ethiopia’s financial sector and foster women’s financial inclusion. NEWFin is set to influence the landscape of the Ethiopian financial industry by empowering women to ascend to leadership roles, thereby driving gender equality and economic growth.
NEWFin emerges in response to the critical need for greater gender diversity and inclusion within the sector, as highlighted by Ethiopia’s National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS) 2021-2025 and further substantiated by the World Bank’s insights on the Leadership Gender Gap in Banking. The establishment of NEWFin marks a significant step towards addressing these disparities and ensuring women’s full participation and benefits within the financial sector.
The initiative’s core objectives are to enhance women’s access to finance, increase their representation in leadership roles, and advocate for gender-inclusive policies and practices across the financial services industry. NEWFin aims to create a robust platform for professional development, networking, and mentorship, empowering women professionals within Ethiopia’s financial services sector to achieve their full potential.
The NBE, in collaboration with the World Bank and inspired by similar successful models in Africa, such as the Women in Finance Rwanda, is poised to lead this transformative effort. NEWFin will leverage workshops, seminars, mentorship programs, and advocacy initiatives to build a supportive community that promotes professional growth and gender equality.
The launch of NEWFin coincided with the NBE/Gender Innovation Lab conference on March 28, 2024, offering an ideal platform to introduce the network, attract potential members, and set the agenda for its activities.
The NBE invites all stakeholders within the financial services sector to join this initiative and support the empowerment of women in finance.
